Expert: Paul Soderman - 8/6/2010

Question
Can we implement aerodynamic brakes ("The aircraft also
slows using aerodynamic brakes, such as deflecting the flaps
to, say, 70 degrees to increase drag")in a racing car along
with disk brakes for effective braking without skiddig? If
yes, please tell about its implementation and analysis using
ansys/fluent.

Answer
Yes, in principle aerodynamic brakes could be used on a race car as they are on aircraft, though on aircraft they also involve lift changes.  For a race car a total design analysis would be required because options are limited.  You probably wouldn't want to deploy spoiler type devices on the sides that might impact another car.  If they were put on the roof they would cause a nose up pitching moment.  That leaves the front of the engine, which is already impacted by devices, cooling needs, and engine access needs. A drag chute would be impractical. Maybe something on the rear of the cockpit would work.  The problem is not trivial, but there is probably a way to do it.

I do not use ansys/fluent.
Paul