{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "front-wing-ground-effect",
 "name": "Front wing in ground effect (open-wheel)",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Car design",
 "group": "Car aero",
 "year": null,
 "question": "How does an open-wheel front wing work close to the ground?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "car aero",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "front wing ground effect",
  "F1 front wing",
  "open wheel front wing",
  "wing ride height",
  "front wing height",
  "wing in ground effect car",
  "formula car front wing",
  "rc formula front wing",
  "front wing flap angle",
  "ground effect wing downforce"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 1,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-wing-ground-effect/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-wing-ground-effect/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "Running a wing close to the ground accelerates the flow under it, so downforce rises as ride height falls, until the flow separates and force drops sharply (Zhang & Zerihan).",
   "Southampton's double-element wing reached CL 3.03 at h/c 0.079; below that, downforce fell sharply. A cited single-element study saw a force reduction of up to 25%.",
   "UIUC front-wing tests found flap angle, flap planform and endplate size all moved CL markedly (Jasinski & Selig).",
   "Used on: Formula One and Champ Car front wings (UIUC test geometries).",
   "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above (Zhang & Zerihan test wing; mount at h = 0.079c (30 mm) for peak downforce.). Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Max CL (double element, high flap)",
     "3.028 at h/c 0.079",
     "Zhang & Zerihan"
    ],
    [
     "Max CL (double element, low flap)",
     "2.588 at h/c 0.066",
     "Zhang & Zerihan"
    ],
    [
     "Single-element force reduction",
     "up to 25%",
     "Zhang & Zerihan (cited study)"
    ],
    [
     "Model reference chord / span",
     "380 mm / 1100 mm",
     "Zhang & Zerihan"
    ],
    [
     "UIUC semi-span model",
     "46.23 cm span, 33.02 cm reference chord",
     "Jasinski & Selig (UIUC)"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Front wing in ground effect (open-wheel) — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-wing-ground-effect/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- Running a wing close to the ground accelerates the flow under it, so downforce rises as ride height falls, until the flow separates and force drops sharply (Zhang & Zerihan).\n- Southampton's double-element wing reached CL 3.03 at h/c 0.079; below that, downforce fell sharply. A cited single-element study saw a force reduction of up to 25%.\n- UIUC front-wing tests found flap angle, flap planform and endplate size all moved CL markedly (Jasinski & Selig).\n- Used on: Formula One and Champ Car front wings (UIUC test geometries).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above (Zhang & Zerihan test wing; mount at h = 0.079c (30 mm) for peak downforce.). Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nMax CL (double element, high flap)  3.028 at h/c 0.079  Zhang & Zerihan\nMax CL (double element, low flap)  2.588 at h/c 0.066  Zhang & Zerihan\nSingle-element force reduction  up to 25%  Zhang & Zerihan (cited study)\nModel reference chord / span  380 mm / 1100 mm  Zhang & Zerihan\nUIUC semi-span model  46.23 cm span, 33.02 cm reference chord  Jasinski & Selig (UIUC)\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- University of Southampton / AIAA Journal: Aerodynamics of a Double-Element Wing in Ground Effect (Zhang & Zerihan, AIAA J. 41(6), 2003) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/22605/1/AIAA-2057-653.pdf\n- University of Illinois / SAE: Experimental Study of Open-Wheel Race-Car Front Wings (Jasinski & Selig, SAE 1998) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://m-selig.web.engr.illinois.edu/pubs/JasinskiSelig-1998-MSEC-SAE-Trans-V107-S6.pdf\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-wing-ground-effect/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=front-wing-ground-effect\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "University of Southampton / AIAA Journal",
   "title": "Aerodynamics of a Double-Element Wing in Ground Effect (Zhang & Zerihan, AIAA J. 41(6), 2003)",
   "url": "https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/22605/1/AIAA-2057-653.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "University of Illinois / SAE",
   "title": "Experimental Study of Open-Wheel Race-Car Front Wings (Jasinski & Selig, SAE 1998)",
   "url": "https://m-selig.web.engr.illinois.edu/pubs/JasinskiSelig-1998-MSEC-SAE-Trans-V107-S6.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "rear-wing-single-element",
  "rear-wing-dual-element",
  "swan-neck-wing-mount",
  "gurney-flap-wickerbill",
  "wing-endplates",
  "front-splitter"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "What ride height gives most downforce?",
   "a": "For the Southampton double-element wing, h/c 0.079 (about 30 mm on a 380 mm chord); below that downforce fell sharply."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": {
  "name": "Xem Studio Design License",
  "holder": "Xem Studio",
  "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/",
  "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files."
 },
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "front-wing-ground-effect-rear-wing",
   "formats": [
    "step",
    "stl"
   ],
   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "Xem Studio Design License",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-wing-ground-effect/front-wing-ground-effect-rear-wing.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/front-wing-ground-effect/front-wing-ground-effect-rear-wing.stl",
   "note": "dual element rear wing: span 1100 × chord 380 mm at 1°, endplates 200 mm, inverted NACA 4412 section (mounts from below)"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/front-wing-ground-effect/index.md"
}