Comparison of Linear Vortex Panel Method and Finite Volume Method for Calculation of Generated Lift in Potential Flow Over Two-Dimensional Car Bodies

Abstract This paper describes one of the aspects of the panel method to analyze the aerodynamic characteristics of a sedan. The linear vortex panel method has been developed to simulate the ideal flow over a two-dimensional arbitrary car and, it also calculates the aerodynamic load on the body. By satisfying the boundary conditions on each control point, our linear algebraic equations are obtained. The results are sensitive to the distribution of the panels over the body thus the body is broken up equally into very small panels. After solving the set of equations, the vortices strength is obtained and the pressure distribution for the upper and the lower surface of the body is calculated. The impact of the angle of attack on the aerodynamic behavior of the intended car is investigated and it is found that the lift coefficient increases with the free stream angle from -4 to 4. The accuracy of the results has been determined by checking them against the standard CFD data. The pressure distribution trend is found very much in confirmation with the CFD results, however, a discrepancy at the rear end is observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that this method does not seem practical for geometries with steep slopes in the rear part of the car. Finally, both methods are applied to the other modified geometries with lower slopes at the rear section and the results compare well with the fluent.