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CaptainH13
Scum


Registered: 10/29/04
Posts: 10,287
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Aerodynamics majors?
#7328653 - 08/24/07 04:08 AM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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So I've been Doing a lot of Speedboarding lately (more than a lot), and were getting real deep into Drafting, and bump drafting, and aero, and all that jive. That and Being a hotrodder, and watching Bonneville '07 just roll through, my mind has been filled with thoughts of aerodynamics and speed,and whatnot. The main jolt being how much i'm feeling the effects of aerodynamics and drag first hand from speedboarding.
So i think it's time for an experiment. I'm gonna try to make a Skate- steamliner. It's been done before back in the day, and was way too dangerous to really catch on.
On the the point,my goal is to hit at least 70mph(a conservative speed really), Is there any Physics/Aerodynamics majors or whatever in here that want to shed some simple tips i might not know on how to make the most slippery shape possible?
Oh yea, It'll be aluminum frame(whatever scraps i can get from the shop),and a glass body. So it'll be comparatively light. I'm thinking parachutes,and lever action skid brakes to stop since i wont be able to stop it like a Luge. I dont plan to spent shit on this, but i'm pretty sure i have enough scraps and shit around the shop to get it all done.
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Edited by CaptainH13 (08/24/07 04:22 AM)
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chodamunky
Cheers!


Registered: 02/28/02
Posts: 2,030
Loc: sailing the seas of chees...
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Re: Aerodynamics majors? [Re: CaptainH13]
#7330857 - 08/24/07 06:58 PM (16 years, 6 months ago) |
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hmmm.. I got my Aerospace Engineering degree last year, working with planes now at an international aerospace company... I got a tip that might affect your performance:
when you put together your vehicle, make sure there is no 'step conditions' between each component when you assemble. A step condition is when there is a 'step' between adjacent metal pieces, and when the wind rushing past hits this step then you will be creating drag, which in your case might affect stearing performance, and slightly reduce speed (on aircraft obviously this is more pronounced going 0.78 mach or whatnot). Also, depending how you manufacture and assemble your creation, you may have gaps as well between each piece, which again will create drag. If you can't assemble and avoid the gaps, just fill them in with an environmental sealant and you should be fine...
ummm regarding aerodynamic shapes, its pretty much 'up in air' as one would say... you would need to use a CFD software (Computational Fluid Dynamics) if you were really serious about maximizing your speed.. but that stuff takes a bit of time and experimenting. It would be cool to play around with since you could make the best shapes and test them out on the computer before construction. Just make it as streamlined as possible and avoid sharp cut-offs to avoid air flow separation which will induce drag.
also, how do you plan to attach the aluminum skins to your vehicle? Does your shop use any sort of riveting?
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