Abstract
Current trends are forcing vehicle designers to perform as much computer simulation of the various vehicle systems as possible, in progressively shortening time scales. Cost reduction, improved quality, reliability and performance are constant driving forces. Computer simulation of vehicle systems is well established and is seen as a key tool in achieving more demanding design and analysis targets. The short to medium term goal is to model both individual systems and their interaction as accurately as possible.
There are many ways in which complex interacting systems can be modelled. These can be grouped in four principal categories:
Monolithic models
Embedded models
Bespoke interfaced programs
Interfaced programs.
This paper briefly discusses each of these methods. It then concentrates on the fourth category, interfaced programs. Examples are given of how such techniques can be used to model some of the systems found in the vehicle engine bay, with the aim of simulating the thermal management of this area. Examples given are based on the FLOWMASTER2® computer program showing how links with Microsoft Excel, MathWorks MATLAB®-Simulink® and Ricardo VECTIS, a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) package, can help move closer to the goal.