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Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
Aeroacoustics Simulation of an
Automotive A-Pillar Rain Gutter
Herv Dechipre and Dr. Michael Hartmann
Group Research, Automotive Techniques, CAE
Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Germany
SYNOPSIS
The recent successes achieved to reduce tire and engine noise have resulted in a higher
contribution of the wind noise in the overall perception of noise by car passengers. Up to
now, wind noise has been largely assessed by wind tunnel testing; however there is an
increasing need for numerical methods in order to evaluate the design as early as possible. If
direct noise computation (DNC) is not reachable for industrial applications, hybrid methods
based on acoustical analogy or stochastic modelling have already demonstrated good
aptitudes. Nonetheless, as a first step, an accurate CFD simulation must be performed. In
this study, the flow-induced noise of an automotive rain gutter has been investigated for
Reynolds numbers based on the rain gutter height between 20 000 and 130 000. As both
rain gutters height and oncoming flows direction vary along the A-pillar, two configurations
have been designed to investigate these effects separately. In addition, two different profile
sections of rain gutter were tested. This paper mainly focuses on the computation of the
structures of the flow and surface pressure level; the propagation of sound in far field will be
addressed in a further publication. The topology of the flow was assessed using steady
RANS computation. Unsteady SAS-SST and DES models have been used to compute
surface pressure fluctuations. As the flow was stable for the conventional SAS-SST model,
forcing terms were used to switch to unsteady mode. Experimental data will be presented
and used to validate the results of the numerical simulations.
1. Introduction
Various aspects determine the comfort inside a vehicle. One of them is the interior noise
experienced by the passengers. Due to successes in reducing motor and road/tire noises,
airflow induced noise (also called wind noise) becomes more and more important. Over 100
km/h wind noise is generally the dominant noise source and can make it difficult to converse
or listen to the radio, but it can also add fatigue on a long highway trip. A potential buyer
might even consider high wind noise levels as poor design or build quality and may lead to
dissatisfied customers. Therefore, car manufacturers have to pay close attention to wind
noise and try to minimise it.
If one could expect that low drag vehicles would also have low wind noise level; this is not
found to be true in practice. One explanation for this lack of correlation comes from the fact
that aerodynamic drag depends largely of the airflow over the rear of the vehicle and its wake
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
while interior wind noise depends largely on details of the exterior airflow around the A-pillar
and windscreen. Small openings or gaps around doors, windows, or many other components
on the outer body such as roof-racks or side-view mirrors (or under floor) may largely
contribute to wind noise; conversely they will have little or no effect on aerodynamic drag.
A prominent feature contributing to the overall wind noise level in the cabin is the A-pillar rain
gutter (fig. 1). Like a long narrow channel along the A-pillar, its purpose is to collect and drain
the water that would otherwise flow from the windshield and past the A-pillar along the side
windows; reducing then the visibility.
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
varies along the A-pillar. Almost perpendicular (90) at the base of the A-pillar, the oncoming
flow can reach an angle with the rain gutter of 30 near the roof.
In order to evaluate these two parameters independently, two configurations were designed.
Fig.2.b represents a rain gutter with a height varying linearly from 10 to 42 mm (called
Linear). The configuration shown in fig.2.c (designated as Curved) was designed to study
the impact of different flow angles on the rain gutter. The angle between the flow and the rain
gutter varies from 90 to 35. It then leads to 4 cases (2 profiles 2 configurations).
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
The experimental spectra obtained for the 5 flush-mounted microphones on the medium
section of the linear configuration for both profiles are presented on fig. 4. The 2 furthest
upstream microphones (Pos. 1 and 2) present for both profiles almost identical spectra. Only
directly in front of rain gutter at position 3, the measured noise level is about 3 dB higher for
the first profile. The main differences are found behind the rain gutter. The first profile
presents its maximum surface pressure level (SPL) directly after the rain gutter (Pos. 4) while
the noise level drops down after the second profile. As additional information, the first profile
was measured to be 13 dB noisier than the second one in the far field (at about ~ 1,8 m).
Fig 4: Experimental narrow band spectra for both profiles at flow stream velocity of 45 m/s.
3. Numerical Methodology
Steady and unsteady simulations using different models were used to assess the
characteristics of the flow over the different profiles and configurations. After briefly
presenting the models and methods, a description of the meshes and set-up will be
proposed.
3.1. Turbulence Modelling
The main topology of the flow was assessed by performing steady Reynolds Averaged
Navier-Stokes (RANS) model using the SST k- turbulence model with the Software ANSYS
CFX [12]. In order to get surface pressure fluctuations, transient computations need to be
performed. The most widely accepted unsteady approach is certainly the Large Eddy
Simulation (LES) where the Navier Stokes equations are filtered using a spatial operator with
a filter-width proportional to the local space grid spacing. This later aspect makes a direct
connection between the level of resolution of turbulence scales and the mesh refinement,
and can make the method very expensive for certain complex industrial applications. In
attempt to overcome this restriction, Spalart [13] proposed a hybrid method which combines
features of classical RANS formulations with elements of the LES methods. This concept
called Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), is intended to take advantage of both methods by
covering the boundary layer by a RANS model and switching into a LES mode in detached
regions. This allows the calculation to capture the instability of the shear layer, and the
development of the coherent structures in the wake, with more accurate prediction of the
unsteady forces than can be obtained by steady or unsteady RANS methods. A major
drawback of the method is the explicit grid dependency of the method which can lead to a
premature flow separation. A solution was proposed by Spalart [14] so called Delayed DES
to overcome this problem. The switch for the DES is achieved by comparing the modelled
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
turbulent length scale and the grid spacing and is obtained by correcting the destruction term
as follows:
Lt
0,15 m
0,55 m
0,04 m
To get a first understanding of the flow over the two profiles and the main differences
between them, fluid simulations were performed on an extrusion over 40 mm in the span-
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
wise direction for both profiles. The entire meshes consist in 3 400 000 nodes. The
resolutions in the span-wise direction are for the first and second profile 0.5 mm and 0.33
mm respectively to ensure the coherence of the structure. At the inlet, a free stream velocity
of 45 m/s (162 km/h) corresponding to a Reynolds number based on the height of the rain
gutter and a Mach number of 60 000 and 0.13 respectively and a medium turbulence
intensity were imposed. Pressure outlet was applied at the outlet, while symmetry was
applied at the top and periodic conditions were applied on the sides. The boundary layers
was fully resolved with a y+ = 1, with a first cell of 12 m at the wall. The height of the rain
gutter is about 20 mm. The time-step used for the unsteady DES simulations was 5 s.
3.2.2. Steady 3D cases
To get information on the flow topology, steady RANS computations were performed on the 4
cases. The tunnel open jet section and the space around the model were reproduced for the
computation. The mesh was then composed of 2 domains linked by a GGI interface. The
core domain was meshed with a low Reynolds mesh, while a coarse mesh was used for the
outer domain. Fig 6 and Table 1 gives information on the computational domain and the size
of the meshes. An averaged velocity profile was given at the inlet to get a boundary layer
thickness in front of the rain gutter in the same order as in the experiment. Three inlet
velocities were tested (30, 45 and 60 m/s); table 2 gathered the Reynolds number
corresponding.
Profile 2
Conf. Linear
Conf. Curved
Table 2: Reynolds number based on the rain gutters height for the 3 studied sections
Inlet Velocity
30 m/s
45 m/s
60 m/s
Rain gutter 1
0,66 H1
26 500
40 000
53 000
H1
40 000
60 500
80 500
Rain gutter 2
1,6 H1
64 000
97 000
129 000
0,61 H2
22 500
33 500
44 500
H2
36 000
54 000
72 500
1,67 H2
60 500
90 500
121 000
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
Fig. 7: Computational CFD domain and zoom on the mesh in the core domain
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Comparison between the two profiles
Fig 8: representation of the structure for both profiles with a stream flow at 45 m/s.
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
Fig 8 gives a representation of the unsteady (computed with DES) and a steady flow for both
profiles. The pressure field is represented on the side. Figures b) and d) represent the mean
flow using streamlines and the variable Q at 5106 s-2 was used to represent the turbulent
structures at a time step on (a) and (c). The variable Q is defined as follow:
1 u i u j
1
Q=
= S ij S ij ij ij
2 x j x i
2
As first comment, the site of the recirculation area is bigger for the first profile. The level of
turbulence and pressure fluctuations appear also smaller behind the second profile. This
correlates well with the experimental results and tends to confirm that the first profile is
noisier than the second one.
4.2. 3D Steady Topology
The friction line patterns of the 3D linear configurations for the part with the highest section
for both profiles obtained experimentally (oil visualisation) and from the simulations are
represented on fig.9. It can be seen that as expected, the size of recirculation area in front
and behind the rain gutter increase almost linearly with its height. Close to the border of the
rain gutter (right side), the streamlines are highly deviated to the exterior showing another 3D
effect. Compared to the previous quasi 2D cases, the plate behind the rain gutter was a bit
higher, reducing the size of the recirculation and leading for the 2nd to almost no recirculation
behind the rain gutter. On the 2nd profile, one also see the reattachment line occurred on the
middle of the thicker part of the rain gutter which is confirmed by the flow visualisation.
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
Fig. 10: Flow Topology of 3 different configurations: Profile 1 Linear (top, left), Profile 2
Linear (top, right), Profile 1 Curved (bottom, left)
On the curved configuration, the inflow angle tends to reduce the size of the recirculation and
one can notice the formation of the vortex on this configuration along the rain gutter which is
not without reminding the A-Pillar vortex. One can finally notice that the height of the
boundary layer in front of the rain gutter is almost as high as the rain gutter itself.
Fig 11: Representation of the evolution of the flow topology against the height (Profile 1 and
2) and against the flow angle and the inlet velocity for the profile 1
4.3. Unsteady 3D case
4.3.1. 3D flow structures
According to Rung et al. [16], the numerical simulation requires ~12 time steps per oscillation
period to accurately represent the harmonic disturbances which gives here a limitation of a
maximum frequency of 8 333 Hz. The minimum frequency expected is 20 Hz (T = 50ms).
Simulations with SAS-SST, DES and LES models conducted on the same grid. Using the
conventional SAS-SST implemented in ANSYS CFX, the simulations was enable to switch to
any unsteady mode and always results in a steady solutions (fig. 13 a). In comparison using
DES or LES models, the structures behind the rain gutter could be resolved (fig.14). Looking
EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
at the DES blending functions, it was also controlled that the core domain was running in
LES mode around the rain gutter. Compared to the simulations on the quasi 2D cases (fig. 8)
also computed with DES, the structures in front of the rain gutter could not be so well caught
although similar span-wise resolution was used. One element of explanation for this
difference can be the higher thickness of the boundary layer in this case which tends to
damp the instabilities and does not generate resolved turbulence before the rain gutter.
Fig. 13 Visualisation of the turbulent structures using isosurface of Q (Q =5106 s-2) shaded
with velocity simulated with the SAS model without (left) and with (right) forcing
Fig. 14 Visualisation of the turbulent structures using isosurface of Q (Q =5106 s-2) shaded
with velocity simulated with DES (left) and LES (right)
This reason was also advanced to explain the unability of the SAS-SST model to switch to
unsteady mode. To overcome this problem, it was decided to use the SAS-F model with
forcing terms recently introduced by Menter [17]. The idea is to introduce forcing terms in the
momentum equations in order to transfer modelled turbulence energy into the resolved
energy for flows which does not exhibit sufficient strong instability to switch to unsteady
mode. A volume stochastic source term and sink term are then respectively introduce in the
momentum equations and modelled turbulent k in a confined user-specified flow region. In
this test-case, the zone corresponds to the volume in the core domain in front of the rain
gutter. The computation was done with ANSYS Fluent 12 and the results presented on
fig13b shows that the structures in front and behind the rain gutter could then be resolved.
4.3.2. Surface Sound Pressure Level
The experimental and computed with DES and SAS-F spectra for 3 flush-mounted
microphones are represented on fig. 15. Microphones 1 and 5 were outside the core domain.
At point 2, both models could not catch the pressure fluctuations so far (83 mm) in front of
the rain gutter confirmed by fig13 and 14. At point 3, the SAS-F presents a fair agreement
with the experimental results while for the DES simulations, the spectrum is very low
confirming the unability of the model to catch the fluctuations in front of the rain gutter. For
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EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
point 4, the SAS-F presents again a good agreement with the experiment. The results of the
DES simulations are only up to 1-3 kHz in good agreement with the experiment. After 3 kHz,
on all DES spectra, a brutal variation of the slope can be observed which might indicate a
cut-off frequency due to the mesh (~ 1mm). This would also tend to confirm the lower
dependency of the SAS model to the size of the mesh.
Fig. 16: Computed Acoustic field and Spectra using respectively injection vortex method and
Stochastic modelling for both profiles (2D computations)
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EASC 2009
4th European Automotive Simulation Conference
Munich, Germany
6-7 July 2009
6. Conclusions
In this study, the topologies of simplified 3D configurations of A-pillar rain gutter have been
investigated using steady and unsteady flow simulations. The 1st profile presents the highest
level of turbulence and the higher noise level. It was clearly shown the difficulty to get the
unsteady flow structures particularly in front of the rain gutter. The addition of the forcing
terms in the SAS-SST model turns out to be necessary in this case and allows getting good
agreements with the experimental results. At the opposite, the DES simulations could only
catch the structure after the separation. The authors would also point out that only short
simulation times were performed and that longer simulation times would allow to smooth the
spectra and to improve their quality to be compared with the experiment. Further work
particularly on the acoustical part will conducted and will be presented in a further paper.
7. Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank M. Menter and M. Mller from ANSYS Germany for their
advice and contributions in the CFD part as well as Prof. Delfs and M. Pott-Pollenske for their
advice on the experimental part.
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