<![CDATA[General Background Modern automotive development increasingly focuses on reducing fossil fuel reliance and greenhouse emissions through structural optimizations. Specific Background Lightening vehicle body structures with advanced composite materials provides a practical approach to energy conservation in prototype competitions. Knowledge Gap Although composite fabrication is widely documented, practical procedures integrating physical hand layup with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) validation for prototype energy-efficient vehicles require detailed technical characterization. Aims This study evaluates the manufacturing process and aerodynamic performance of a fiberglass energy-efficient vehicle body designed for the Arshaka V1 prototype. Results Fiberglass fabrication yielded a lightweight structure, while CFD simulations in ANSYS 2019 R3 revealed a drag coefficient of 0.135 and a maximum dynamic pressure of 88.6 Pa at the body center. Track testing demonstrated a stable maximum speed of 85 km/h along a 1 km test track with a 20% improvement in energy efficiency compared to the previous design iteration. Novelty This work establishes a complete Research and Development framework coupling budget-friendly fiberglass molding techniques with numerical aerodynamic simulation for academic prototype vehicles. Implications Systematic application of affordable composite manufacturing combined with computational fluid analysis streamlines cost-effective prototype vehicle design without sacrificing aerodynamic efficiency. Key Findings Highlights Fiberglass fabrication combined with aerodynamic shape design achieved a low drag coefficient of 0.135 and a peak pressure of 88.6 Pa in CFD analysis. Track testing confirmed a stable maximum speed of 85 km/h with a 20% boost in energy efficiency relative to the baseline body model. The research establishes a structured Research and Development workflow bridging physical composite layup with virtual fluid dynamics validation. Keywords Energy-Efficient Vehicle, Fiberglass Manufacturing, Aerodynamic Simulation, Drag Coefficient, Prototype Vehicle]]>
Copyrights © 2026
