What is Aerodynamics?

• Aerodynamics is the study of the affect of airflow on a body.

• The body may be anything that moves through air or has air moving past it.

What is Aerodynamic Drag?

When an object is moving through the air, its motion is resisted by air flow. This resistance is called drag.

How is Aerodynamic Efficiency Measured?

• An object’s aerodynamic efficiency, or how easily it moves through the air, is determined using a unit of measure called coefficient of drag, or Cd.

• This Cd is multiplied by the frontal area of the object to figure out aerodynamic efficiency. The smaller the frontal area, the more aerodynamic the object can be.

Testing Aerodynamic Efficiency

Technicians measure how aerodynamically efficient an object is by testing it in a Wind Tunnel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CYUuBiW_lY

What Are The Effects of Drag?

• The amount of drag determines the maximum possible speed.

• It determines the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

• It determines how well the vehicle will handle.

Car BodiesThe purpose of a car

body is to do three things:

1. Provide protection from the elements, impact and debris.

2. Fuel efficiency and handling through aerodynamics.

3. Styling

The Evolution Of The Car Body

First Ford 1928 Pearce

1955 Chevrolet 1963 Mustang

Toyota MR2 Dodge Viper

Modern Designs

GM Concept VehicleWorld Speed Record Competitor

Formula One Car Aerodynamics

Modern Materials used in Transportation

Technology.• Carbon Fibre• Plastics • Fibreglass• Aluminum• Magnesium• Titanium• Kevlar• Composites (more than one material)