Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new “normal” for everyday life. Personal hygiene is one of the recommendations we are constantly being reminded of. Six feet is the recommended minimum distance between each person, but is it enough? Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), we can model the effectiveness of this 6 feet rule. The geometry …

COVID-19 Cough Model: Is 6 feet a safe social distance? Read More »

Due to current events, COVID-19 has forced millions of Americans to work remotely and avoid the office and other facilities altogether. While many are able to conduct business as usual from home using their laptops, many engineers need the high-performance capabilities of their local networks and desktops. To some extent connecting to the office via …

CFD Simulation allows your design and development to continue, even remotely Read More »

Last year we wrote an article about aerodynamic analysis using CFD of a Dirt Late Model that garnered a lot of attention. On that model one of the most prominent aerodynamic devices is the rear spoiler. One question that often comes up is, what is the difference between a spoiler and a wing? Some people …

Dirt Late Model Revisted: Spoiler or Rear Wing? Read More »

It's the most wonderful time of the year: Christmas. Every year, kids (and some adults) eagerly wait for Santa to deliver their presents. As you watch the Santa Trackers, you're probably wondering if Dasher or Rudolph could fly a little quicker so that the presents get delivered sooner. This version of Santa's sleigh, named the Jingle Jet, is designed and drawn by Mikael Sedlacek. It's equipped with 2 jet turbo engines; therefore, this sleigh does not require the services of Santa's 10 reindeer. The Jingle Jet is designed with an aerodynamic body so that it can glide through the sky.

Dirt track racing is a popular form of automotive racing in the United States. Dirt Late Model is a unique vehicle, with its inclined nose, flat doors, large spoiler, and open backs. Typical weight of a Dirt Late Model is a minimum of 2,300 lbs. These vehicles require a powerful engine that can produce over 800 horsepower that allows the vehicle to achieve high speeds. From the tight wheel arches to the angle and location of the rear spoiler to the different fender heights, every design component of this vehicle influences aerodynamics. Wind tunnel testing for this type of vehicle is difficult due to the extreme yaw (side slip angle) the cars experience while cornering. Without the constraints of the wind tunnel, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods are ideal for testing and understanding the aerodynamics of dirt racing cars.