OVERVIEW

The course of Road Vehicles Aerodynamics gives an overview on the aerodynamic performance of different kind of vehicles and the design criteria taking into accound the aerodynamic concepts.

The aerodynamic analysis of the vehicle is nowadays not only necessary to lower energy consumption or to improve the dynamic performance but also to optimise the sensors and camera installation around the veichle.

The aerodynamic forces and moments give also a relevant contribution to the vehicle dynamics and a proper understanding of these aspects is crucial.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student will learn the fundamentals of road-vehicles aerodynamics based on bluff bodies aerodynamics. The effects of the vehicle design and shape on the aerodynamic performance and loads will be discussed. The importance of the aerodynamic analysis for the vehicle dynamics and for the vehicle handling will be stressed. The experimental and numerical approaches used for the aerodynamic analysis and design of the vehicle will be discussed and practical applications of the use of current numerical technologies will be developed during the lessons. The attention will be on cars, commercial vehicles and special focus on the racing car aerodynamics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation to lessons and practical applications together with the student individual learning time will provide the student with:

- good knowledge of the bluff body aerodynamics

- understanding of the effects of geometry on flow structure and performance
- design criteria for ordinary or racing cars
- knowledge on experimental and numerical techniqes for aerodynamic analysis
- practice on CFD in simple reprentative cases
- get the proper languange and therminology to study and discuss vehicle aerodynamics

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

 Introduction to bluffbody aerodynamics;
 numerical techniques for aerodynamic analysis
 experimental techniques for aerodynamic analysis
influence of geometry on road vehicle aerodynamics
influence of auxiliary flows (cooling, ventilation, ..) on aerodynamic performance
aerodynamic aspects of commercial vehicles;
racing car aerodynamics   

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wolf-Heinrich Hucho: “Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles", SAE Int. Publisher, 1998;

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CARLO CRAVERO (President)

DAVIDE MARSANO

UGO CAMPORA (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/9269

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

Exam schedule