Evaluation of wind tunnel interference on numerical prediction of wheel aerodynamics

For a passenger vehicle, approximately 25% of the total aerodynamic drag originates from wheels, making aerodynamics wheels significant factor for overall performance vehicle. To understand complex flow field created by rotational condition and geometry these bluff-bodies, numerical simulations are often used. However, computations frequently performed in domains that replicate open road conditions, differing conditions wind tunnels. Therefore, to properly validate CFD procedure correlate physical tests results, interference effects tunnel need be investigated their impact on analysed compared calculations. In this study, DrivAer model were using different tyres rims both with inclusion detailed slotted walls tunnel. The results experimental data, consisting forces measurements. It was found improves prediction fields, resulting better absolute values deltas between configurations.