Aerodynamics of a Box Van

A computational fluid dynamics analysis can yield surface forces or pressures for use as input to a finite element structural model. Solid works has been used to create the geometry, Gambit performs the preprocessing and Fluent performs the solution and postprocessing stage of the CFD analysis. A velocity inlet and pressure outlet are assigned as well as fluid properties, for example, density and viscosity of air. After solution, forces on individual surfaces can be reported. The figures above show  contour plots of total pressure for the leeward side and windward side of the vehicle.  The load applied to an aluminium extrusion,  fastened on top of the chassis, is calculated using the CFD analysis and transferred to  a structural finite element model, the analysis of which results in the figure below, which confirms high stress values occur in the problem region.