Venturi Undertray : KTH Bachelor Thesis Report

Abstract: This bachelor thesis aims to describe the work performed for the design of the undertray for the Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan Formula Student(KTHFS) race car. The goal was to achieve an aerodynamically optimized undertray design that follows the regulations of the competition and the targets set by KTHFS concerning the weight, the size, the materials needed for its manufacture and costs. After some research on previous work, the concept, on which we decided that the undertray would rely on, is Venturi tunnels inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie, chosen for its ability to provide a large amount of downforce with a negligible amount of drag using ”ground effect”. Numerous CAD design models were created in Solid Edge and a finalized design was then ported over to Siemens NX to be analyzed using Star-CCM+ and its Design Manager feature. The CFD analyses and optimization was performed in Star-CCM+ with regards to pressure gradient, streamline velocity and downforce. These were done with variable parameters in areas such as expansion height, inlet area and ride height. Contained within this report is a more detailed description of how the CFD analysis was performed as well as suggestions for manufacturing said undertray. Given the time constraints and the societal impacts of COVID-19, manufacturing had to be removed from the scope of the project, however, a step-by-step manufacture guide is provided within. Analysis of uur final design showed 428 N of downforce, a weight of 2.55 kg and a production cost of approximately 2320 SEK. It therefore passes the requirements for weight, cost and ride-height rule regulations set by Formula Student and internal KTHFS targets.