Abstract:

It is important for car’s stability in crosswind that the airflow separation around the different front
window angle bodies. Car body numerical calculation models with front window angle of 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°,
and 40°were built using a CFD software—Star-ccm+. The airflow fields around the body were simulated for 20
m/s car speed in 8 m/s crosswind. The results show that the lateral force coefficient is large affected by front
window angle in crosswind; and the body has better stability in crosswind when front window angle of 35°. The
airflow separation from the bottom at the rear is postponed with reducing vortex number, as the front window
angle getting larger. By analysis on body shear stress with 35° front window angle, it is pointed that the optimal
analysis for the leeward side A column and for the crosswind side C column are the direction to improve the
aerodynamic performance.

Key words: automotive engineering, passive safety, front window angle, crosswind, stability, numerical calculation, airflow separation