Luca Bergianti
KEYNOTE
A hybrid approach to tires development for high performance cars: a proper balance of virtual modeling and track validation
Luca Bergianti
Director of Vehicle Dynamics and Performance - DALLARA
ABSTRACT
During a new car design, the whole process can be summarized, very roughly in a few main phases: target setting, component design or selection and parameter tuning. Defining proper and realistic targets is probably the hardest part of the process when considering timing and costing implications. Then designing/selecting components and tuning parameters to reach those targets is for engineers a potential “infinite loop” the project planning needs to contain in a proper schedule. Finally, validating the prototype represents the longest and expensive process when not properly anticipated by a strong virtual development.
One of the most crucial topics in the development of a new vehicle is the decision regarding tyre characteristics (size, compounds…). That’s where the marriage between virtual world and track validation can play a key role in streamlining the process and improving technical understanding.
This keynote will describe how Dallara approached this important phase when developing the Dallara Stradale. Starting from track testing a base tire on a different car, a virtual model of this “reference” tyre was validated and used as initial baseline for the multibody virtual model of the Dallara Stradale (still in the early development stage of the design). From that point, engineers started to play and to tune the virtual model of the vehicle and of the tyres (Pacejka coefficients) building up virtual options to be driven by the development drivers at the simulator, months before production started. Those target tyres were then used by the tyre manufacturer to knead polymers, structural material and chemical components and finally produce a real tyre. Many virtual loops allowed to save a significant portion of physical testing and returned an emphasized knowledge of the car months before going effectively on track.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Birth: 11.01.1977,
07.2003: Graduation in Mechanical Engineering with focus on land vehicles (@Pisa University),
Since Dec 2004 in Dallara, after few experiences as consultant engineer in Altran for Aerospace activities,
2004: Vehicle Dynamics Engineer;
2006-07-08: F3 Race Engineer;
2008: Daytona Prototype Program Manager;
2010: Indoor Testing Manager;
2012 Static Testing & Simulation Manager;
2013 Program Manager for BU Automotive;
2018 Vehicle Dynamics Manager;
2020 LMH-LMDh Car Architecture Program Manager;
2023 Director of Vehicle Dynamics and Performance.
I'm a teamwork advocate and I’m passionate about taking care of people's motivation and full engagement.
Happily Married with Mariasole since 05.2005. Proudly father of 3 daughters: Giulia (18), Vittoria (15) and Ginevra (13).
In my (never enough) free time I like taking care of nature in my house which in a very reduced scale is halfway between a little Zoo and a Botanical Garden.
