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Thanks to advances in Computational Fluid Dynamics - CFD codes, i.e. algorithms and turbulence models, complex CFD vehicles simulations are increasing not only in academia, but also in the industry itself. The aim of the simulations is to verify the aerodynamic behavior of a car at early stages of the project, when no prototype is available, and to reduce the total aerodynamic development time of a new vehicle. The turbulence model considered in the CFD simulation should be able to capture the main flow effects around the vehicle. Most importantly, the predicted total drag value of the vehicle has to be comparable to the values obtained in wind tunnel tests. The main focus of the presented work is a comparison of wind tunnel and CFD results of the same small production hatchback vehicle.

Within the advances in Computer Fluid Dynamics algorithms and High Performance Computing, large clusters become available at low costs allowing virtual simulations that were not possible some years ago at reasonable costs and time. This work uses intensively this condition and applies these advances on brake system optimization. The methodology developed in the present work verifies the best angular position for caliper inside the wheel to reduce the rotor temperature during braking process such as downhill procedure. Thus, this method is applied to a mini-VAN vehicle, where the best position is found, based on two design parameters: rotor temperature and convection heat transfer coefficient. This study shows that the most suitable position for initial selection is the first one.

The advances in High Performance Computing-HPC and CPU's sizes and processing power, combined with new computational codes, which are capable of coupling different types of simulation, are the main contributors for the increasing number of the Multiphysics simulations inside the industry. Multiphysics are defined as simulations involving multiple physical models or multiple simultaneous physical phenomena. Among some examples, spray modeling is of great interest in several branches of the industry and, with the development on algorithms and codes, simulations presented reliable results, compared to experiments. This work aims to contribute to both Multiphysics and spray modelling by reproducing a rainstorm condition, focused on a vehicular application. This work objective is evaluate the possibility and feasibility to reproduce virtually rain storm condition on a highway checking water intrusion at Air Intake System - AIS and compare with physical test.