Robust Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of Automotive Vehicles

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The primary objective of the project is to demonstrate the application of adjoint-based aerodynamic design optimization to improve the aerodynamic performance of automotive vehicles with respect to the exterior shape of the vehicle subject to constraints on the vehicle utility and aesthetics. Aerodynamics of automotive vehicles are essentially driven by the need to reduce the pressure component of drag, where a large separated region often prevail in the rear of the vehicle. In addition secondary components such as side-view mirrors introduce obstructions and compounds on the challenge to reduce the total drag. Thus numerical methods to assess the aerodynamic performance and redesign the shape is critical to advance in this highly competitive field. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Canada (FCA) currently employs a combination of open source computational fluid dynamics software with a commercial adjoint package to form an ADO numerical framework to achieve the stated objective. However, application of this framework has resulted into inconsistent results over the years. Moreover the approach often yields uneven surface geometries which renders the shape ineffective from an aesthetics point of view. Therefore the objective of this engagement is to demonstrate the capabilities of our in-house numerical framework on the design of a generic automotive geometry.