HPCwire: Ferrari Optimizes Thermal Comfort Using ANSYS

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November 19, 2009

Ferrari Optimizes Thermal Comfort Using ANSYS

Italian car manufacturer applies ANSYS engineering simulation software to define thermal comfort

SOUTHPOINTE, Pa., Nov 18 -- ANSYS, Inc., a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes, today announced that the Italian car manufacturer Ferrari -- renowned all over the world for outstanding design, powerful engines and excellent driving performance -- uses software from ANSYS to optimize automobile design and performance. The latest improvement involves the use of software from ANSYS to predict thermal comfort in the vehicle's interior.

Automobile thermal comfort is important to prospective buyers, and, for this reason, Ferrari has made it a high priority in vehicle design. In order to assess comfort not only qualitatively but also quantitatively, Ferrari worked together with the University of Pisa in Italy to define thermal comfort indices and to make comprehensive evaluations of the general aspects of thermal comfort. Because an experimental approach was not practical, the investigating engineering team used fluid dynamics software from ANSYS to perform the calculations.

"Thermal comfort is an individual perception and not a measurable value," explained Giovanni Lombardi, professor of airplane aerodynamics and vehicle aerodynamics at the University of Pisa. "Qualitative statements from a test team do not really help car developers who want to measure the design quality and usefulness of design changes objectively and comparably. An experimental approach for determining the data required was virtually impossible. For that reason, we used engineering simulation software from ANSYS, which had advantages for this scenario and rendered accurate and reliable results."

The research team based its resulting "global thermal comfort index" on several local indices: the thermal equilibrium of the human body, discomfort caused by drafts, and horizontal and vertical temperature gradients. A number of factors were studied, including the car's velocity and materials (leather, glass, aluminum) as well as sensitivity to warming or cooling on various body sites (leg, arm, face, covered with clothing or not), solar irradiance, vehicle interior size, and air flow.

"Ferrari and the University of Pisa faced the difficult task of developing a measure for quality. They saw a high business value in applying our software and made profitable use of it," said Jim Cashman, president and CEO of ANSYS, Inc. "The advantage of Simulation Driven Product Development is that no complex physical models or testing configurations are required, and the design can be tested, optimized and, if necessary, modified virtually at an early stage in the development process. Companies across the whole industry spectrum -- not just automotive -- are seeing the benefits of this process. In this case, with help from ANSYS software, Ferrari is living up to its expectations of designing one of the most desirable brands worldwide."

About the University of Pisa

The University of Pisa (Università di Pisa) is part of the Pisa University System, together with the Scuola Normale Superiore and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies. Through this configuration, the city of Pisa confirms its role as an academic centre of high repute and great prestige, both at national and international levels. The University of Pisa is especially known for its science and engineering branches, which manage extremely good courses at the BSc, MSc and PhD level. The university now has about 57,000 students.

About ANSYS, Inc.

ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), founded in 1970, develops and globally markets engineering simulation software and technologies widely used by engineers and designers across a broad spectrum of industries. The company focuses on the development of open and flexible solutions that enable users to analyze designs directly on the desktop, providing a common platform for fast, efficient and cost-conscious product development, from design concept to final-stage testing and validation. The company and its global network of channel partners provide sales, support and training for customers. Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pa., with more than 60 strategic sales locations throughout the world, ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries employ over 1,600 people and distribute ANSYS products through a network of channel partners in over 40 countries. Visit www.ansys.com for more information.

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Source: ANSYS, Inc.

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