Course detail

Simmulation in Automotive Industry

FSI-QPA Acad. year: 2025/2026 Winter semester

The course is intended to introduce students to the most important contemporary computational models applied in the development of modern powertrains and motor vehicles. Emphasis is placed on the mathematical and physical basics of computational models and software tools, as well as the verification of computational modelling results by adequate experimental methods. The presented problematics includes applications of the finite element method in the analysis of deformation, stress, fatigue safety, temperature or contacts of motor vehicle components.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Supervisor

prof. Ing. Pavel Novotný, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automotive Engineering

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics taught at the bachelor’s degree level and necessarily includes linear algebra (matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations etc.), differential and integral calculus and ordinary differential equations.
Knowledge of basic kinematics, dynamics and strength of materials.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course-unit credit is conditioned by active participation in the seminars, proper preparation of the semester work, and fulfillment of the conditions of the control tests. The exam verifies the knowledge gained during lectures and seminars and is divided into a written theoretical part, part of the computational solution of lubrication, fluid flow and heat transfer, and an oral part. The exam considers the work of the student in the exercise. The student must score more than one-half of the total points for the successful completion of the test. An oral examination can test the student's knowledge of the subject and influence the final grade.

 

Exercises are compulsory, and the form of replacing the missed lessons is solved individually by the lecturer or with the course guarantor. Lectures are optional but strongly recommended.

Aims

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with contemporary computational models that are applied for solving various types of problems in the development of motor vehicles. The computational models are used to simulate linear and non-linear structural mechanics problems using the finite element method. This includes an introduction to the mathematical and physical nature of computational models and the presentation of these models through software tools.

 

The course will enable students to gain knowledge of contemporary computational models applied to structural mechanics of powertrains and motor vehicles. The acquired skills will enable students to perform analyses of strength of mechanical structures, heat conduction in solids, large deformations, body contacts or fast dynamic processes.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme N-ADI-P: Automotive and Material Handling Engineering, Master's, compulsory-optional

Programme N-AAE-P: Advanced Automotiv Engineering, Master's, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Syllabus


  1. Computational simulations of structural mechanics in the automotive industry

  2. Component discrete models with applications to motor vehicles and powertrains

  3. FEM in linear structural mechanics

  4. FEM applications in commercial programs

  5. Discretization methods for FEM

  6. Strength evaluation of motor vehicle components

  7. Fatigue damage assessment of components by FEM applications

  8. Solution of nonlinear problems and large deformations

  9. Modelling geometric and material nonlinearities with FEM applications

  10. Modelling of body contact with FEM applications

  11. Heat transfer modelling and FEM applications

  12. Modelling of transient dynamics by explicit FEM

Computer-assisted exercise

39 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  1. Preparation of geometric models of components I

  2. Preparation of geometric models of components II

  3. Beam elements in FEM

  4. Shell elements in FEM

  5. Discretization of volume models of components I

  6. Discretization of volume models of components II

  7. Directional stiffness of powertrain components

  8. High-cycle fatigue assessment in FEM

  9. Low-cycle fatigue assessment in FEM

  10. Contact of powertrain components

  11. Thermal FEM analysis

  12. Transient FEM analysis

  13. Application of FEM for the analysis of structural mechanics tasks in the automotive industry