ENGINE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION USING GT-POWER

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

responses which are required for optimization, from the

automatically generated parameter list. Optimus parameterizes

Spark ignition engines are analyzed with advanced 1D engine &

the input file and parses the output file for the desired

gas dynamics simulation software to predict and improve

combination of output parameters, allowing for an automated

performance before a prototype is built. This application note

shows how Optimus and GT-POWER are used to optimize (a)

execution of the simulation workflow.

intake and exhaust manifold geometry and (b) valve timing, to

deliver maximized engine performance.

1. SIMULATION FACTS
Simulation-based design process
Engine & gas dynamics simulation software calculates engine
performance based on input data provided by engineers.
Unfortunately, this approach can only be used to validate
designs. If the objective is to maximize engine performance,

Fig. 2: Engine simulation workflow

Optimus is needed to explore the entire design space, to

provide deeper engineering insights and to identify designs that

Design parameter selection

meet or even exceed design specifications.

4 design parameters are selected:

2 geometry parameters related to the intake runners.

Intake runner length and diameter of intake runner outlet

Software

are selected as design variables.

GT-POWER

2 parameters that influence intake and exhaust valve

Models

profiles and timing. Valve profiles are parameterized by

The engine is a 1.6L 4-cylinder spark ignition engine. The GT-

Cam Timing Angle of the intake and the exhauster valve.

POWER simulation model is shown in Fig. 1.

Design objective specification
The objective is to maximize total volumetric efficiency at
different engine speeds, characterized by a weighed sum of
volumetric efficiencies over the entire RPM range.
Solution strategy
Design of Experiment (DOE) techniques (Latin Hypercube
method) deliver the data that shows valve timing parameters
are the most influential on engine performance.
Two different optimization strategies are used:
Fig. 1: GT-POWER simulation model

surrogate model (Fig. 3-4). Optimus then performs a SelfAdaptive Evolution (SAE) optimization on this surrogate

2. SOLUTION APPROACH
Simulation process automation
The engine performance simulation workflow is captured using
the Optimus graphical user interface. This workflow includes the
GT-POWER software, as well as the related input and output
files (Fig. 2). The engineer selects the input parameters and

DOE techniques generate sufficient data points to fit a

model, which yields a good starting point for an

optimization run directly on the simulation workflow.

from the start, a full-fledged optimization is launched

directly on the simulation workflow. This method gives
good results, but doesnt provide the engineering insights
delivered by the first strategy.

Fig. 5: Volumetric efficiencies, comparing initial values and optimized

results.

Fig. 3: The Optimus contribution plot shows valve timing parameters are
most influential on global response

4. BENEFITS

3. RESULTS

Optimus easily captures and successfully automates GTPOWER engine performance simulations, delivering a
repeatable simulation process.

Optimus delivers a 7.3% increase in volumetric efficiency using

the optimization strategy based on a surrogate model. Taking

tasks, and delivers the information that is needed to gain

this approximate optimum as a starting point for an optimization

directly on the complete simulation workflow, a total efficiency

Optimus frees the engineer from repetitive administration

deeper engineering insights.

improvement of 7.5% is found (Fig. 5).

Optimus quickly identifies valve timing parameters as the

most

influential

contributors

to

engine

volumetric

efficiency.

Using a selection of DOE and numerical optimization

techniques, OPTIMUS is able to identify design parameter
values that improve volumetric efficiency by at least 7.5% all of this in a fraction of the time required with
conventional solution approaches.

Fig. 4: The surrogate model generated by Optimus shows volumetric

efficiency as a function of two user-selected design parameters

GT-POWER is a trademark of Gamma Technologies Inc.