FKFS Events

FKFS Academy

14 - 17 & 23 - 25 July 2025

Vehicle Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics

Know-how in Theory, Measuring Technique and Testing

23 - 25 July 2025

Lecturer:

Dr.-Ing. Daniel Stoll, IFS, University of Stuttgart

More information about Dr. Stoll

Co-lecturers:

  • Dr. rer. nat. Reinhard Blumrich, FKFS, Head of NVH Department and Wind Tunnel Consulting,
     
  • Dr.-Ing. Felix Wittmeier, FKFS, Head of Model-scale Wind Tunnel and Wind Tunnel Research,
     
  • Dr.-Ing. Gustavo Estrada, Mercedes-AMG, Technical Lead Aerodynamics

Target Group

This course is targeted to professionals who work or who are interested in the area of vehicle aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. The professionals can be technicians or engineers who either are newcomers or who simply wish to learn more about these topics. The course focuses on the fundamentals of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics covering ongoing measurement techniques as well as computational approaches and optimization strategies. The various facets of the course content are presented as both, theoretical lectures and practical training especially in wind tunnels.

Course Objectives

The course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of vehicle aerodynamics and vehicle aeroacoustics. The participants will be trained to be able to carry out respective development work at car manufacturers and suppliers under consideration of the various interfaces to other disciplines.

Objective 1:

Understand basic aerodynamic physics and relationships; apply fundamental aerodynamic equations on standard flow situations; assess aerodynamic coefficients and aerodynamic results; influences on vehicle drag and lift as well as vehicle dynamics

Objective 2:

Understand the principal acoustic and aeroacoustic physics; choose the adequate measurement instrumentation and setup; acquire expertise to assess aeroacoustic analyses and results

Objective 3:

Understand the approaches when implementing computational methods in aerodynamics and aeroacoustics; being able to assess the possible field of application and the advantages and disadvantages concerning the various numerical methods realistically

Objective 4:

Learn to conduct aerodynamic and aeroacoustic investigations under experimental conditions in our modern wind tunnel facilities (full-scale aeroacoustic and scale-model wind tunnel as well as briefly thermal wind tunnel) as well as to evaluate the measured data

Modules

Module 1: Basics of Vehicle Aerodynamics

  • Physical principles and basic equations of aerodynamics
  • Aerodynamic forces, moments and coefficients
  • Drag components
  • Influence of vehicle design and vehicle parts on drag and lift
  • Influence of drag and lift on vehicle performance

Module 2: Aeroacoustics

  • Physical basics of acoustics
  • Acoustic measurement techniques
  • Acoustic analysis procedures
  • Physics of aeroacoustics
  • Test and measurement setup
  • Main sources in aeroacoustics
  • Noise reduction techniques
  • Psychoacoustic aspects incl. unsteadiness

Module 3: Numerical Methods

  • Basics of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Common codes used for CFD
  • CFD-application on particular flow situations
  • Basics of computational aeroacoustics (CAA)
  • Calculation of aeroacoustically effective turbulent fluctuations
  • Calculation of sound sources as well as sound transmission

Module 4: Aerodynamic Testing and Measuring Techniques

  • Aerodynamic measuring techniques
  • Wind tunnel types
  • Specific wind tunnel effects
  • Comparison of road and wind tunnel situation
  • Full road simulation in wind tunnel
  • Measuring pressures and velocities in wind tunnel flows
  • Methods for flow visualization

Module 5: Aeroacoustic Practical Training

  • Aeroacoustic measurement and analysis techniques
  • Evaluation of various aeroacoustic weak spots of the test vehicle (measurement and analysis)
  • Psychoacoustic analysis and rating
  • Subjective listening in the vehicle compartment

Module 6: Aerodynamic Practical Training

  • Testing procedures and cycles in aerodynamic wind tunnels
  • Influence of vehicle design and vehicle parts on drag and lift
  • Wind tunnel set up for full road simulation
  • Wind tunnel correction methods
  • Measurement of wheel ventilation drag

Module 7: Introduction to Soiling Measurements

  • Wind tunnel set up for soiling tests
  • Different types of soiling
  • Qualitative and quantitative assessment of vehicle soiling
  • Possibly visit of thermal wind tunnel

Module 8: Active Aerodynamics

  • Potentials and challenges
  • Aerodynamics and design
  • Effects on driving dynamics and range
  • Examples and different features

Goals

After having completed this course, the participants will have a fundamental knowledge about vehicle aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. They will be able to use high-tech aerodynamic and aeroacoustic measurement technique and will be able to carry out wind tunnel tests, both in order to effectively perform aerodynamic and aeroacoustic development work at cars under consideration of the interfaces to other disciplines.