SIMCenter and Honda Working Toward More Efficient Engines

Honda and OSU to continue collaborative research efforts to help improve engine efficiency and performance. The team is currently involved in researching methods to use one-dimensional commercial engine modeling software, AVL BOOST, to ideally replace many experiments required in engine production. The work hopes to expand on the use modeling software as a virtual test bench which allows more rapid validation of new concepts.

The shift from physical experiments to simulation based experiments, where possible, allows engineers more creative freedom when refining designs which results in an optimized, more efficient, and less expensive engine. One-dimensional software, such as AVL BOOST, helps give quick insight as opposed to a full three-dimensional simulation as it only represents physical processes, such as wave propagation, in one dimension. This allows results to be computed more than 100x faster, while still providing sufficient accuracy for making engineering design decisions.

Honda has been key to enabling this research by providing experimental validation to the simulations that are performed and mentoring the students involved. The collaborative environment helps the students receive a more well-rounded educational experience, which helps to better prepare them for work in the industry. AVL has also provided the foundation for this research by providing software and support. Moving forward, the team will continue to move toward more advanced simulations combining the use of AVL BOOST, AVL FIRE, and other products from the AVL AST product line. It is expected that the work will be published in the scientific community over the next year.

For more information on AVL’s software, and how it’s used in engine research, click here.