Principles of Vehicle Design: Physics &
Economics
Designing high-performance vehicles like yachts and planes requires integrating
complex physical laws with rigorous economic constraints. This guide outlines the core
pillars of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO).
1. The Physics Foundation
The primary goal is managing the interaction between the object and the fluid medium
(air or water).
• Fluid Dynamics: The study of how air and water flow around hulls and airfoils.
• Drag Management: Minimizing turbulence is essential for efficiency.
• Scale Modeling: Using dimensionless numbers like the Reynolds number to ensure
physical accuracy when testing scale models in wind or water tunnels.
The Four Forces of Flight
A plane must balance: Lift (upward force), Weight (downward gravity), Thrust
(forward motion), and Drag (resistive force).
2. The Economic Constraints
Engineering for performance must also account for life-cycle costs and manufacturing
feasibility.
• Value Engineering: Balancing performance requirements with total cost.
• Weight vs. Strength: Utilizing structural analysis to remove unnecessary material
without compromising safety.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Simplifying geometry to reduce production
costs.
3. The Modern Design Workflow
The industry uses integrated systems to manage these trade-offs:
• CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics): Digital simulation of fluid interaction.
• FEA (Finite Element Analysis): Simulation of structural stress.
• MDO (Multidisciplinary Design Optimization): Combining all variables—physics,
material science, and economics—into a single, unified mathematical model.
Research Summary: Multidisciplinary Design Principles for Aerospace and Marine Vehicles.