RESEARCH AND OPTIMIZATION OF SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE AERODYNAMIC DESIGN

Drag and lift are two important parameters to evaluate a vehicle's aerodynamic performance. Aerodynamic resistance (drag force Fd) prevents the movement of the vehicle and has a value proportional to the square of the velocity. That is, when the speed increases twice, the aerodynamic drag will increase fourfold. This article presents a plan to design a sport utility vehicle model with improved aerodynamics by using Ansys Fluent software to analyze pressure distribution areas that affect aerodynamics and the body. Based on the results obtained, the areas of stress and maximum pressure concentration have been identified. From this, a plan to improve the vehicle’s exterior design has been proposed. After many iterations of the design and model optimization process, the aerodynamic drag coefficient CD was reduced by 3.06% compared to the original model. The revised design option is equipped with an airflow diffuser under the vehicle; the lifting resistance coefficient has been reduced from 0.0902 to 0.038, equivalent to 58.2%. The new proposed design of the model has reduced the vehicle's frontal drag by 2.04%. The research results have determined the aerodynamic coefficients CD and CL of the model car. Based on the results received, it is possible to compare them with the manufacturer's announced parameters and propose new design options that still ensure aesthetics.