Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Analysis of the Aerodynamic Performance of an Ahmed Body Fitted with Spoilers of Different Opening Areas

Haichao Zhou^*, Wei Zhang, Tinghui Huang, Haoran Li

School of Automotive and Traffic Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

* Corresponding Author: Haichao Zhou. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Recent Advances in Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(5), 1113-1131. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.064991

Received 28 February 2025; Accepted 14 April 2025; Issue published 30 May 2025

Abstract

The configuration of a spoiler plays a crucial role in the aerodynamics of a vehicle. In particular, investigating the impact of spoiler design on aerodynamic performance is essential for effectively reducing drag and optimizing efficiency. This study focuses on the 35° Ahmed body as the test model and examines six different spoiler types mounted on its slant surface. Using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) in XFlow and the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique, the aerodynamic effects of these spoilers were analyzed. The numerical approach was validated against published experimental data. Results indicate that aerodynamic drag is strongly influenced by the spoiler’s opening area, with certain configurations achieving a drag reduction as high as 6.5%. This configuration effectively suppresses airflow separation in the wake of the Ahmed body, reducing the formation of separation bubbles on the slant surface and enhancing pressure recovery on both the slant and base regions. The observed pressure recovery is attributed to the reduction in vortex loop breadth and length.

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Keywords

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