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 vehicle and the vehicle handling.

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 body 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 vehicle dynamics and for the vehicle handling will be stressed, with special emphasis on motorsport applications. The experimental and numerical approaches used for the aerodynamic analysis and design of the vehicle will be discussed. Practical applications of the use of software for car simulation will be developed during the lessons. The attention will be to cars, commercial vehicles and racing car aerodynamics.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in 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 techniques for aerodynamic analysis

- understand the aspects related to car setup and the methods to check performance from track telemetry
- get the proper language and terminology to study and discuss vehicle aerodynamics.

TEACHING METHODS

Lesson on theory.

Exercises on car dynamics using a car simulation code.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to bluff body 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   
Car setup and handling for motorsport.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

Computational fluid dynamics –the basics with applications, John Anderson, McGraw-Hill

Low speed aerodynamics, Joseph Katz, Allen Plotkin, McGraw-Hill

Race Car Aerodynamics, Joseph Katz, Bentley Publishers

Race Car Handling Optimization, Ralph Putz , Ton Sernè, Springer

The course lecture notes, available on Aulaweb, constitute the reference material for exam preparation, while the other indicated texts may be used to look into specific topics in greater depth.

Students with SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) and working students may contact the professor for any clarifications and to arrange methods for accessing materials that are compatible with their needs, while respecting the educational objectives of the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11960/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam: the student prepares a report on a selected argument (at his/her choice) on theory or application.

Please contact always the teacher to agree the exam date

Students with a certified Specific Learning Disorder (SLD/DSA), disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the professor before the start of lectures. This is to arrange teaching methods that, while respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning styles and provide appropriate compensatory tools. [1]

Furthermore, any request for compensatory and/or dispensatory measures for the exam must be prepared using the form at the following link: https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back. It must then be sent to the course professor, to the DIME department representative (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and to the Inclusion Services Sector for Students with Disabilities and SLD (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the exam, in accordance with the guidelines available at the link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi. [1]

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam consists in the discussion of the report and in some question related to the program

FURTHER INFORMATION

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule.