External Aerodynamics of Bluff Body Vehicles using CFD

Project Overview

This case study utilized ANSYS CFX to perform a steady-state RANS CFD analysis of a generic bluff body vehicle, employing the k-epsilon turbulence model with scalable wall functions. A rigorous methodology was established, including a comprehensive domain independence study and detailed near-wall mesh resolution assessment using Yplus distribution. The analysis characterized baseline external aerodynamics, identifying key regions of high pressure, flow separation, and wake formation contributing to form drag. Subsequent geometric modifications, intended for drag reduction, were evaluated. The simulations revealed that interactions between primary modifications and secondary flow features could unexpectedly impact overall aerodynamic performance, highlighting the critical role of detailed flow visualization in identifying complex aerodynamic traps and informing iterative design improvements.