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This paper describes a technique whereby race car airbox performance can be assessed directly in terms of predicted engine performance by coupling a one-dimensional engine model on a timestep-by-timestep basis to a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of an airbox. A high-performance three-litre V10 engine was modelled using Virtual 4-Stroke unsteady gas dynamics engine simulation software, while two airbox configurations, representative of those used in FIA Formula 1 (F1), were modelled using general purpose CFD software. Results are presented that compare predicted engine performance for the two airbox geometries considered in the coupled simulations. Individual cylinder performance values are also presented and these show significant variations across the ten cylinders for each airbox simulated.

Engine cycle simulation is an essential tool in the development of modern internal combustion engines. As engines evolve to meet tougher environmental and consumer demands, so must the analysis tools that the engineer employs. This paper reviews the application of such a tool, VIRTUAL 4-STROKE [1], in the modelling of a benchmark 1.9 Litre TDI engine. In an earlier paper presented to the Society [2] the authors presented results of a validation study on the same engine under full load operation. This paper expands on that work with validation of the simulation model against measured data over a full range of part load operation.

The improvement of computer simulation packages with experimentally validated sub-models has benefited the engine designer in reducing development time and costs. Such packages offer invaluable information regarding the internal gas dynamics and gas exchange characteristics. Presented are measured dynamometer results of a RS Honda 125 cm3 two-stroke single-cylinder motorcycle grand prix road-racing engine operating at full throttle from 9000 rev/min to 13000 rev/min. The engine is instrumented to provide in-cylinder and exhaust pipe pressure crank-angle histories. All relevant engine geometry, discharge coefficients, scavenging characteristics and combustion data are used to simulate the engine using a one-dimensional (1-D) engine simulation package. In-cycle crankshaft angular velocity fluctuations are also considered. Performance parameters such as power, BMEP and delivery ratio, together with pressure diagrams are compared to the measured data.