The course covers the main considerations and attributes of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that are specifically relevant for its application to road vehicle aerodynamics; the numerical solving of partial differential equations using a time and space discretization schemes; the choice of boundary conditions and initial data; the modelling of turbulent flow and approximations included in RANS, LES, DES and DNS; The course has five lectures: 1. Introduction, 2. Discretisation in space and time, 3. Grids, 4. Boundary and initial conditions, and 5. Turbulence modelling. There are also five computer labs in which case studies are explored the CFD software Fluent.
SD2625 Computational Road Vehicle Aerodynamics 3.0 credits
This course provides an introduction to Computational Road Vehicle Aerodynamics with a focus on performing CFD simulations using commercial software. The course consists of five lectures and five assignments, where students gain basic knowledge about the topic, practice applying this knowledge to benchmark cases, and evaluating their results. The assignments consist of labs and subsequent lab reports, with the overall grade based primarily on the final report.
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students should be able to:
- Explain the key concepts involved in CFD for road vehicle aerodynamics in terms of modelling simplifications, accuracy, performance and validation.
- Perform CFD simulations using software and troubleshoot basic problems that arise.
- Reflect on and choose appropriate modelling and analysis approaches for road vehicle aerodynamics applications.
- Evaluate and critically judge simulation results in terms of errors and uncertainties in order to suggest improvements from both physical and computational modelling perspectives.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Basics course in fluid mechanics, such as SG1217 (for T), SG1220 (for M), SG1223 (for F), or equivalent.
English B / English 6
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- PRO1 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
The examination is a written report.
In addition, to pass the course, lab reports for lab 1, 2 and 3 and participation in lab 4 is compulsory.
Other requirements for final grade
To be approved at the course the student must
- Perform a small project in lab 5 that is presented in a written individual full report of acceptable quality and have the report approved.
- Perform the work in lab 1-3 and present the work in short individual reports. The scopes of the reports are given in the lab instructions.
- Perform the work in lab4 and participate and contribute to the oral discussion at lab 4. The scope of the report is given in the lab instructions.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.