Simulation and modelling of the aerodynamic impact of sensor setups on autonomous road vehicles
This study aims to simulate and model the aerodynamic impact of sensor setups on autonomous road vehicles. To achieve that, it focuses on the analysis of the ∆Cd contribution of sensor setups in comparison to a reference self-designed generic shuttle geometry, employing the CFD simulation software P...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2021 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/359299 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/359299 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Autonomous vehicles Detectors Vehicles autònoms Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria mecànica |
| Sumario: | This study aims to simulate and model the aerodynamic impact of sensor setups on autonomous road vehicles. To achieve that, it focuses on the analysis of the ∆Cd contribution of sensor setups in comparison to a reference self-designed generic shuttle geometry, employing the CFD simulation software Pacefish®. In Chapter 2 the fundamentals of aerodynamics are explained, with a focus on external vehicle aerodynamics. They collect the fluid field concepts required to interpret the simulation post- processings. Additionally, this chapter gathers literature on aerodynamic data of similar vehicle shapes and add-on elements. However, due to the topic’s novelty, no previous studies on autonomous shuttle aerodynamics are stated. Finally, this chapter is concluded with the technical data collection of current autonomous shuttles. Chapter 3 describes the adopted methodology. It includes the validation of the simulation soft- ware, followed by the derivation and design of a generic shuttle, which defines the aerodynamic reference. Based on that geometry, this study assesses the impact of the modification of design features and the incorporation of single sensor positions and multi-sensor setups. The drag influence of such geometrical alterations is measured in ∆Cd , which aligns with the validation methodology of Pacefish®. Major results in Chapter 4 indicate the huge impact of the edge rounding (∆Cd ∈ [-0.099, 0.198]) design variable compared to the single sensor (∆Cd ∈ [-0.035, 0.047]) and multi-sensor setup (∆Cd ∈ [-0.054, 0.016]) influence. Differently from literature data, add-on geometries located in specific positions reduce the drag of the generic shuttle due to the appearance of flow detachment in such areas. However, the magnitude of the sensor impact is similar to the one observed in specific previous studies. Furthermore, this chapter includes the mathematical model to estimate the ∆Cd of sensor setups based on the simulation results. Finally, Chapter 5 discusses the thesis’ results and suggests possible future studies that could help to corroborate the validity of the proposed mathematical model and expand the understand- ing of autonomous shuttle aerodynamics. This study aims to shed some light on the barely studied topic of autonomous shuttle aerody- namics and the impact of sensor setups, which inevitably will gain relevance in the future of road transportation. |
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