CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Overview

My new job involves helping scientists make use of HPC (High Performance Computing) systems to visualise data. As part of that I am gaining an understanding of Computational Fluid Dynamics and OpenFOAM. To get a full understanding of the process I am applying it to the Dry Lake Racer.

First Test

The first test is to take the "motorBike" tutorial provided with OpenFOAM. This involved building OpenFOAM, and running through the "motorBike" snappyMesh tutorial. I then replaced the motorBike with a Vespa model that I found on the internet (a while back) and placed the motorbike rider on to the Vespa. The result is success!

The next steps are to:

1. Change the CFD calculations to produce some useful values like drag
2. Model the Dry Lake Racer with enough precision that I can get some useful data from CFD analysis

Next Step

I now have a 3D scanned model! I have done a test run this time with my new "real" Vespa model and fake rider. This has already shown me that with the seat in the new position I should no longer need the screen, assuming a can ride that low. Also the front indicators contribute a lot to the aerodynamic drag, the big red areas indicate high negative pressure zones.

Courtesy of where I work, who let me use my models for testing new high performance computing hardware

Next step: I am working on a rider model that is exactly my shape and that I can sit a different positions. Then getting actual drag and lift calculations and trying out different things to reduce drag and improve stability. Also the CNC machine is progressing slowly and that will allow me to manufacture shapes after tesing them in the virtual windtunnel.