Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675

#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255

st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

Course name Numerical Modeling & Simulation in Scilab Xcos

Lesson name Numerical Modelling of Aerodynamic Force in Scilab-Xcos
Lesson objective Practice blocks & acquaint to use GUI of Scilab-Xcos
Created by Suraj S D & Bharat P

Problem statement: Model the Aerodynamic force acting on the car in Scilab-Xcos and study the effect of parameter
such as velocity.

Let’s begin this session by understand the aerodynamic force.

It is a resistive force acting on the car, because of its frontal area, density of air, geometry of car & cars velocity. You
can observe in the below image, how the car is trying to slice through air. But, air resists the cars forward motion.

Here is the formula for Aerodynamic Force.

Aerodynamic force = ½ * Frontal area * Density of air * Coefficient of Drag * (Velocity)2

www.lms.decibelslab.com 1
 Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675
#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255
st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

Here can we can observe the Area calculations & it’s effects

The frontal area is projected on a plane as shown in the figure. This is the area we conisder to calculate or model,
upon which the aerodynamic force acting on the car. As Area is directly proportional to aerodynamic force, upon
increasing the Area, aerodynamic force increases proportionality.

If we consider a SUV or example of BUS or a Truck, for which frontal area is bigger, so the aerodynamic forces acting
on the vehicle will be larger.

Effect of Air Density:

The density of air considered to be a constant. It does vary wrt altitude and temperature, but the variation of density
has lesser significance on aerodynamic force.

www.lms.decibelslab.com 2
 Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675
#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255
st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

Coefficient of Drag:

The coefficient of drag is a constant that represents the

effectiveness of the body in reducing the air resistance. The
drag coefficient varies with respect to the shape of the body as
described in the image.

That’s why, shapes of aeroplanes, ships, space shuttles or even

in the nature: body of fish is streamlined to have lowest
possible coefficient of drag. So the object can slice through
the air, creating lesser turbulences.

With this we understand, lesser the Cd is, lesser the AF.

Effect of Velocity:

Velocity creates the compounding effect on aerodynamic force. As aerodynamic force is directly proportional to
square of velocity, force on the car shoots up very high at higher speeds.

That’s why engine needs to product lof of power to overcome to aerodynamic force at higher velocity.

www.lms.decibelslab.com 3
 Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675
#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255
st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

A. Let’s start the modelling of aerodynamic forces in Xcos

Model Inputs:

Sl No Parameter Value
1. Constant 0.5
2. Coefficient of drag 0.24
3. Density of air 1.225
4. Velocity 20
5. Frontal Area 2.34

Fa = Aerodynamic Force (N) 𝐶𝑑 = Coefficient of drag 𝜌 = Density of air (kg/m^3)

𝑉 = Velocity (m/s) A = Frontal area (m^2)

Here are the blocks needed to build the model

Sl No Block Name Block Image Palette

1. CONST_m Sources

2. PRODUCT Mathematical Operations

3. POWBLK_f Mathematical Operations

4. AFFICH_m Sinks

5. CLOCK_c Event handling

www.lms.decibelslab.com 4
 Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675
#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255
st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

Model for constant velocity

Results:

www.lms.decibelslab.com 5
 Decibels Lab Private Limited CIN: U80904KA2019PTC126675
#2362, 24th main road +91 7411019255
st
1 sector, HSR layout contact@decibelslab.com
Bangalore, Karnataka, 560102

B. Study the effect of velocity on aerodynamic forces by varying the velocity

Here are the blocks needed to build the model:

Sl No Block Name Block Image Palette

1. FROMWSB Sources

2. CSCOPE Sinks

Program:

Velocity.values = [0:10]’

Velocity.time = [0:10]'

C. Study the effect of velocity on aerodynamic forces by importing a drive cycle

NEDC drive cycle:

We get this file in CSV format,

Here are the blocks needed to build the model:

Sl No Block Name Block Image Palette

3. FROMWSB Sources

4. CSCOPE Sinks

www.lms.decibelslab.com 6