Industrialisation of spectral/hp element method for incompressible, transitional flow around Formula 1 geometries

Abstract

This study applies the high-fidelity spectral/hp element method using the open-source Nektar++ framework to simulate the unsteady, transitional flow around complex 3D geometries representative of the Formula 1 industry. This study extends the work on a previously investigated industrial benchmark, the Imperial Front Wing (IFW), derived from the McLaren MP4-17D race car's front wing and endplate design. A combined configuration of the IFW with a wheel in contact with a moving ground in a rolling state is considered, representing the first instance of such a configuration being simulated using higher-order methods. The rolling wheel combined with the IFW (IFW-W) provides the most realistic industrial configuration until now. The spectral/hp element method is applied to this test case to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, simulating the flow at a Reynolds number of $\mathbf{2.2 \times 10^5}$. Time-averaged results from the unsteady simulation are compared to experimental Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data to assess the model's fidelity, offering insights into its reliability for accurately representing key flow characteristics. This research addresses the challenges and requisites associated with achieving diverse levels of flow resolution using the under-resolved DNS/implicit LES approach.