Abstract
ADAMo (Adaptive Digital Aerodynamics for Motorcycles) is a research project guided by Piaggio S.p.A and partially funded by the Toscana region. The objective was to increase the performance, safety and comfort of a motorcycle by using active aerodynamics devices.
The paper describes the aerodynamics development, which was essentially based on intensive CFD use (STAR CCM+ code), related to the choice of the active devices and their optimization. Grids with about 100 million cells were used for preliminary evaluations and final verifications; for analysis of aerodynamic devices and optimization, grids with about 40 million cells were used.
There is an increase in lateral force and in both roll and yawing moments, resulting in a gain in lateral stability. There is also a significant decrease in turbulence. The mean turbulence value decreased by about 30% compared to the reference configuration, while the maximum value decreased more than 40% (in the zone of the driver legs). CFD results were verified in a wind tunnel, with differences less than 5% on the global values.
Conference/Journal: Proceedings of 20. Internationales Stuttgarter Symposium, Springer Vieweg
DOI/Source: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-658-29943-9_14
Keywords: CFD, Motorcycle aerodynamics, Active devices, ADAMo, Piaggio
Springer Verlag ISBN 978-3-658-29942-2
