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Analysis of the Influence of Different Turbulence Models on the Prediction of Vehicle Aerodynamic Performance

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  • Luwei Wang

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Xingjun Hu

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Peng Guo

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Zirui Wang

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Jingyu Wang

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Yuqi Wang

    (National Key Laboratory of Automotive Chassis Integration and Bionics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    College of Automotive Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China)

  • Yan Ma

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Ying Li

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Jing Zhao

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Xu Yang

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Ruixing Ma

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Yinan Zhu

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

  • Jianjiao Deng

    (China First Automobile Group Co., Ltd. R & D Institute, Changchun 130000, China)

Abstract

As global energy grows short and environmental governance pressure increases, the automotive industry, a major energy consumer and pollution emitter, must enhance vehicle aerodynamics to cut energy use and emissions. This study creates an open-domain and virtual wind tunnel dual-computational-domain setup. It optimizes mesh refinement and boundary conditions, and evaluates the k-ε, k-ω, and Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence models. These models predict vehicle aerodynamic resistance, lift, and wake flow structure. The k-ε model best predicts the steady-state drag coefficient (Cd) (error 0.0009). DES excels in transient conditions (Cd error −0.4%, lift coefficient Cl matching experiments). The k-ω model, with its near-wall flow capture ability, has the lowest lift prediction error (−2.7%). Moreover, open-domain simulations align more closely with real free-flow environments and experimental data than virtual wind tunnel simulations. Overall, the study clarifies the varying applicability of turbulence models in complex flows, and offers a basis for model selection and technical support for vehicle aerodynamic optimization. It is highly significant for reducing fuel consumption, boosting the range of new-energy vehicles, and promoting sustainable industry development.

Suggested Citation

  • Luwei Wang & Xingjun Hu & Peng Guo & Zirui Wang & Jingyu Wang & Yuqi Wang & Yan Ma & Ying Li & Jing Zhao & Xu Yang & Ruixing Ma & Yinan Zhu & Jianjiao Deng, 2025. "Analysis of the Influence of Different Turbulence Models on the Prediction of Vehicle Aerodynamic Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2803-:d:1666123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Unai Fernandez-Gamiz & Macarena Gomez-Mármol & Tomas Chacón-Rebollo, 2018. "Computational Modeling of Gurney Flaps and Microtabs by POD Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Majid Bastankhah & Fernando Porté-Agel, 2017. "A New Miniature Wind Turbine for Wind Tunnel Experiments. Part I: Design and Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
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