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MTF236 - Road Vehicle Aerodynamics (Fordonsaerodynamik)

Personnel

Simone Sebben, simone.sebben@chalmers.se                                 Examiner/Lecturer

Alexey Vdovin, alexey.vdovin@chalmers.se                                      Main assistant

Avaneesh Upadhyaya, avaneesh.upadhyaya@chalmers.se             Assistant

Department

Mechanics and maritime sciences, M2

Course level and language
Masters (7.5 hp). The course is given in English.

Prerequisites
BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or equivalent

Good knowledge in Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

Aim
The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject of aerodynamics for engineering and design students with an interest in the automotive. The course concentrates on illustrated explanations of the physical principles of aerodynamics which are discussed from the fundamental laws of fluid dynamics. The impact of aerodynamics in other vehicle attributes such as aeroacoustics, contamination, and thermal management is also introduced in the course. The lectures cover topics from aerodynamics of bluff bodies to passenger vehicles, heavy duty trucks, busses, motorcycles, and high-performance cars. The course introduces the students to simple wind tunnel experiments and basic numerical simulations using a commercial CFD software.

Learning outcomes

After completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain why aerodynamics is important for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, high-performance cars, and motorcycles;
  • Relate the fundamental theories of fluid dynamics and bluff bodies to automotive applications;
  • Explain the criteria/conditions for achieving good aerodynamic design for road vehicles;
  • Propose aerodynamic improvements to current vehicle designs;
  • Understand the strengths and limitations of different tools (wind tunnel and CFD) used in the automotive industry to evaluate aerodynamic performance;
  • Conduct simple aerodynamic wind tunnel testing and CFD simulations;
  • Distinguish good aerodynamic design by analysing CFD and wind tunnel results;
  • Calculate aerodynamic resistances and cooling flow requirements for different vehicles and operating conditions;
  • Communicate aerodynamics with proper terms;
  • Explain the implications of aerodynamics in other vehicle attributes such as climate control, aeroacoustics, contamination and thermal management.

Content
The course discusses the basic mechanisms of drag and lift production on bluff bodies and on road vehicles. Aerodynamic devices and design solutions that influence and optimize the external flows (minimize drag and lift) of these vehicles are reviewed. The course offers an introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with some hand-on tasks using a commercial code. A short session in the Chalmers driver simulator, Caster, is planned with the objective to give “real” experience on the effects of downforce. A large part of the course involves a project work carried out in groups of 5-6 students at the Chalmers model-scale wind tunnel. Force measurements are performed to investigate the impact on drag and lift from the different configurations created. Flow visualization techniques and CFD results are used to aid the understanding of the phenomena.

Organization
In addition to the theory lectures, the course includes CFD workshops, a wind tunnel project, a session on the Chalmers driver simulator, problem-solving and consultation sessions, and a possible visit to the Volvo Cars full-scale wind tunnel. Guest lecturers from industry are assigned to special topics.

Literature

The “bible” of Road Vehicle Aerodynamics that you can find online:

A good book to have at an accessible price (available to buy at Cremona):

  • Road Vehicle Aerodynamic Design, R.H.Barnard, Mechaero Publishing, (ISBN 0954073479)

In addition (available in Canvas):

  • The lecture slides
  • Handout on Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics Applied to Road Vehicles

Assessment

The assessment consists of:

  • Hand-out assignment: An obligatory task related to the Caster driving experience. The assignment is graded as Pass/Fail.
  • CFD oral review: questioning session on the results of the two CFD workshops. The workshops and questioning sessions are obligatory and are graded as Pass/Fail.
  • Wind tunnel project: A group project that will result in a written report and an oral presentation. Attendance in all steps of the project is obligatory and the project is graded as Pass/Fail.
  • Exam: An examination on the contents of the course material, assignments, and laboratory work. The exam is graded as F, 3, 4, or 5.
  • Bonus points will be awarded for well performed Caster assignment and wind tunnel project according to the Grading scheme below.

Grading scheme

The course is 7,5 HEC distributed in two modules:

Exam = 5,0 HEC

Wind tunnel project/Assignment = 2,5 HEC

The Exam module is graded F, 3, 4 or 5 according to:

 

Grade F

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Exam (max 80 points)

< 40 points

40-51 points

52-63 points

64-80 points

The student can obtain up to 8 bonus points for well performed Wind tunnel project and Caster Assignment. The bonus points are added to the Exam grade only for students with a ≥ 40 score (that is, students that have passed the first exam). The bonus points will not be added to re-exams.

The requirements for the course final grade are:

Grade 5: A grade 5 in the exam and a Pass in the project/assignment’s module

Grade 4: A grade 4 in the exam and a Pass in the project/assignment’s module

Grade 3: A grade 3 in the exam and a Pass in the project/assignment’s module

Grade F: A Fail grade in both modules

 

 

 

 

Course summary:

Date Details Due