Multidisciplinary design Optimization in Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics : Analysis of the A-Pillar

Abstract: A roof above your head, when in a car, is made possible due to the component calledthe A-pillar in the automotive industry. This component is not only responsible forholding up the roof but also in providing a point for the windscreen to be attached.Hence, it is denitely a part that can not be done away with and any problems arising from it must be solved. The flow over the A-pillar causes formation of vortices which causes an increase in the drag generated by the vehicle. These vortices also cause a high level of noise to be generated, which can cause discomfort inside the vehicle, when it is in motion. Hence, there is a need in the automotive industry to modify the A-pillar so as to reduce the generated drag and noise caused by it. In this thesis, the flow around the A-pillar is analyzed and modications are made accordingly to reduce the impact of the vortices formed due to it. The final resulting design of the A-pillar which has been modied from the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics point of view has been presented. This thesis project also includes the optimization of the method used to implement this. The method involved in obtaining an optimized design of the A-pillar started with the geometry cleaning phase in ANSA, followed by the meshing and simulation phase in FLUENT and finally concluding with the optimization phase in HEEDS. The process of doing this methodology has now been optimized resulting in lesser times between the models being cleaned and optimized. The baseline model obtained from these simulations has been validated by comparing the flow around the vehicle to other works and literature studies. This was done to be certain that the optimization method works to provide correct and accurate results. The optimized design, which called for an increased height was then compared against the baseline model, to understand the flow behavior that lead to the reduction of the output variables.