To validate the accuracy of the results obtained from Fluent, a comparison between these results and the data from the wind tunnel was made. Graph 2 shows the slopes of drag against velocity for both the wind tunnel derived values and the results supplied by Fluent.
Graph 2 - Wind Tunnel & CFD, Drag v Velocity
Reviewing Graph 2, it is possible to see that the trends produced from each set of data correlate well. The gradient of both slopes compare closely and from a speed of around 30mph and upwards the slopes can be seen to run almost parallel.
However, there is a difference in drag between each set of data at each of the recorded speed increments. The maximum difference can be identified at a wind speed of 40mph where the drag measured in the wind tunnel is just under 2N less than that of the drag found through the use of CFD. Although this difference is not sizeable, it was still necessary to identify the source of any errors which may be accountable.
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