Influence of surface texturation on the aerodynamics of a road vehicle: application to driving [...]

Organisation/Company: UNIVERSITE D'ORLEANS

Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Research Field: Engineering » Aerospace engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 15 May 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Not Applicable

Job Status: Full-time

Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

To promote the development of low environmental impact transport, the development of technological innovations is essential. This involves developing new propulsion systems (hybridisation, e-fuel, etc.) as well as improving vehicle aerodynamics, which have a major impact on fuel consumption. Over the last few decades, the scientific community has made considerable efforts to control the aerodynamics of road vehicles in order to improve their performance. While some progress has been made, almost all of this work neglects the influence of environmental conditions on aerodynamics. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of taking into account atmospheric conditions (ambient turbulence, rain, etc.) to correctly predict aerodynamic performance. The results of these studies highlight the fact that current knowledge of road vehicle aerodynamics is only partially applicable to real-life driving conditions.

This doctoral thesis aims to provide some answers to the problem of the aerodynamics of a model road vehicle in an ambient flow representative of real driving conditions. More specifically, the aim of the work will be to study in detail the influence of heavy rain on the aerodynamics of a model vehicle. It is expected that the development of the boundary layers will be strongly affected by the presence of drops and/or streams of water on the surface of the vehicle. The characteristics of the near wake and therefore the aerodynamic forces to which the vehicle is subjected are closely linked to the properties of these boundary layers. The central question that will be addressed in this PhD concerns the impact of the modification of the surface state on the aerodynamics of the vehicle. To address this issue, an approach combining both single-phase flow model experiments and two-phase flow tests will be conducted in order to identify and quantify the physical mechanisms governing the development of boundary layers and the vehicle’s wake. To achieve these objectives, the PhD will benefit from the skills and resources of 2 research laboratories. The experimental work in a single-phase wind tunnel will be carried out in the PRISME laboratory, where the vehicle tested will be fitted with artificial roughness representative of the surface state observed under heavy rain conditions. The results obtained in single-phase flow will be compared with those obtained in a two-phase wind tunnel in the LEGI laboratory at Grenoble Alpes University, where superhydrophobic bodies will be designed to drastically reduce surface wettability. The database generated will enable original models of aerodynamic behaviour to be proposed as a function of the environmental conditions encountered.

Where to apply

Email: nicolas.mazellier@univ-orleans.fr

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering » Aerospace engineering

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics » Condensed matter properties

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications:

We are looking for a highly motivated individual (F/M) with a Master's degree or an engineering diploma with very strong knowledge in fluid mechanics or physics. The successful candidate must have a strong interest in experimental research. A good experience in post-processing tools (Matlab, Python, etc.) is recommended. The successful candidate will be heavily involved in disseminating results through progress reports, publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. As a result, strong communication and writing skills in English and French are required.