Tire Placement for Aerodynamic Drag Reduction: Inside vs. Outside Designs

AI Thread Summary
Tire placement significantly impacts aerodynamic drag, with a debate on whether inside or outside designs are more effective. The consensus leans towards outside placement reducing frontal area, thus potentially lowering drag. However, covering tires can also minimize drag, creating a complex trade-off. A calculator is suggested for initial approximations, though it lacks the precision of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing vehicle design in projects focused on aerodynamics.
tt101
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What helps reduce aerodynamic drag better wheels inside or outside in reference to the above designs? please help.
 
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tt101 said:
shell-eco_marathon-590x361.jpg


What helps reduce aerodynamic drag better wheels inside or outside in reference to the above designs? please help.

What do you think? What research & reading have you done so far? Is this question for schoolwork, or are you designing such a car for yourself?
 
yes this is for a project I am working on. According to my knowledge tires outside should be better since the frontal area reduces as compared to when the tires are placed inside. As the area increases the opposition also increases. But also the tires being covered reduces drag over the tires. thus the confusion.
 
Look at this calculator (and the theory at the bottom of the page). It's not as precise as a CFD analysis, but it is a lot faster for first approximations.
 
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