Geometry Optimization with Discovery - Lesson 3

The overall goal in racing is being faster around a circuit or navigating a course more efficiently than your opponents. For the F1 in Schools competition, competitors want their car to be optimized in a way that allows it to be more aerodynamically efficient than their competitors. Therefore, the car should be designed in a manner that minimizes the force of drag. We can use tools built into Ansys Discovery to perform predetermined geometry modifications. These different configurations will be automatically analyzed. Using the results of these studies, we will determine an optimal configuration for our car without manually redesigning the aerodynamic surfaces in SpaceClaim.

In this video lesson, students will learn how to perform an optimization study using Discovery. The rear wing angle will be set up to increase its angle of attack by a predetermined amount, and the force of drag on the overall car will be tracked and analyzed to determine the optimal configuration. Tools such as Named Selections and Variations will be used to perform a parameterized sweep to find the optimal rear wing angle in order to reduce the force of drag on our model car.

Alternate video link.

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