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Abstract
Studying aerodynamics using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of external flows is a crucial element in the design and development of modern-day road and racing vehicles. Although a plethora of both experimental and computational data related to aerodynamic optimization of isolated vehicle geometries is available in existing literature, very little is known about the complex aerodynamics involving vehicle interactions especially during an overtaking maneuver which has always been a field of interest in motorsports. The costs and difficulties associated with experimental studies of such intricate vehicle interactions using realistic vehicle geometries are often unreasonable due to geometric complexities and complexities involved with the various measurement techniques employed. The objective of this study is to validate and develop a CFD methodology that can be used to explore and analyze the flow fields of such complex aerodynamic phenomena associated with an overtaking maneuver using the Ahmed Body geometries. This is realized by first developing a simulation methodology for isolated Ahmed Bodies (with slant angles (φ) 25° and 35° respectively) owing to the availability of experimental data for validation of the CFD models and then utilizing the overset meshing technique in a virtual wind tunnel wherein one body is kept stationary whereas a small relative motion is specified to the trailing body in the longitudinal direction. The simulations were run in STARCCM+, a commercial CFD code. The work presented aims to discuss the effects of lateral distancing on the various aerodynamic parameters of both overtaken and overtaking bodies and to compare the wake region of the overtaken body in various homogeneous and heterogeneous configurations of Ahmed bodies.