A PREDICTION METHOD FOR THE AERODYNAMIC DRAG OF CARS

A new empirical method has been developed by MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) for predicting the aerodynamic drag of cars. Replacing the earlier MIRA drag rating method, it is aimed at assisting designers in the initial development of car body shapes, but is not intended as a substitute for wind-tunnel development work. New experimental data have been acquired in the course of this project, and these, together with other recent data, have been combined with the model data which was used to help formulate the earlier drag rating method in order to form the basis of the new method. Unlike the earlier method, the new prediction technique has been formulated as a set of continuous functions relating the various components of the car drag coefficient to those dimensional and geometrical parameters which have been shown to have a significant influence. The validity of the method has been indicated by a comparison of the drag coefficients predicted for fifteen widely-differing car designs with the corresponding values derived from full-scale wind tunnel measurements. (Author/TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the 19th International Fisita Congress, Melbourne, November 8-12, 1982.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers

  191 Royal Parade
  Parkville, Victoria 3052,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • ASHLEY, C
  • CARR, G W
• Publication Date: 1982-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 68.1
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Society of Automotive Engineers (Australasia)
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamic features (Vehicle body components); Aerodynamics; Automobiles; Coefficients; Conferences; Design; Drag; Forecasting; Methodology; Motor vehicle bodies; Shape; Size; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies
• ITRD Terms: 1337: Aerodynamic device; 1356: Body (car); 6410: Coefficient; 8525: Conference; 9011: Design (overall design); 9014: Dimension; 132: Forecast; 9102: Method; 9073: Shape
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00376181
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Report/Paper Numbers: SAEA 82068, HS-035 680
• Files: HSL, ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 30 1984 12:00AM