Drag reduction of a 3D bluff body using plasma actuators
Résumé
The aim of this study is to reduce the drag of a simplified car geometry using surface dielectric barrier discharge actuators. Experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel for a low Reynolds number (6.7.105) with the Ahmed body reference (rear slant angle of 25°, zero yaw angle). The effect of steady and unsteady actuation on the flow topology was investigated carrying out 2C-PIV and 1D hot wire measurements. The efficiency of the actuators was characterised by stationary balance measurements. Drag reductions up to 8% were obtained by suppressing the separation bubble above the rear window. The results suggest that plasma actuators are simple to implement on a model and can provide useful information for automotive aerodynamics through parametric studies with parameters relevant for flow control (position, surface, frequency and duty cycle of the pulsed actuation).