Small-scale vehicle aerodynamic design, CFD evaluation, and wind tunnel validation
Project Streamline was a team-based engineering design project focused on reducing aerodynamic drag for a small-scale vehicle model. The objective was to develop, analyze, and experimentally validate a body geometry that minimized drag while remaining manufacturable within course constraints.
The project began with development of a parametric baseplate and body geometry suitable for rapid iteration. Multiple aerodynamic profiles were modeled and analyzed using CFD to estimate drag forces and identify performance trends before committing to fabrication.
Each iteration was evaluated using SolidWorks Flow Simulation, enabling comparison of pressure distributions, wake regions, and predicted drag coefficients. Insights from simulation guided incremental geometry changes — nose shaping, taper angle, and rear-end treatment to promote smoother flow separation.
The final design iteration was manufactured using additive manufacturing and prepared for wind tunnel testing. The model was mounted to instrumentation allowing measurement of drag forces under controlled airflow conditions, and results were compared to CFD predictions to evaluate model accuracy.
Testing demonstrated clear drag trends between design iterations and confirmed that geometric refinements led to improved aerodynamic performance. Small discrepancies between simulated and measured values were observed, reinforcing the importance of pairing computational tools with physical validation — particularly at low Reynolds numbers where CFD assumptions become less reliable.
This project provided hands-on experience with the full aerodynamic design cycle — from concept generation and CAD modeling through CFD analysis, manufacturing, and experimental testing. It highlighted the tradeoffs between simulation fidelity and real-world behavior, and the value of structured iteration when optimizing engineering designs. Working within a team also strengthened communication and documentation skills, particularly in presenting technical findings and justifying design decisions with data.