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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.

Information per course offering

Course offerings are missing for current or upcoming semesters.

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus SD2625 (Spring 2022–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus SD2625 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

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.

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

Literature

You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

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.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

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.

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.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Education cycle

Second cycle