Virgin gets a monster computer for it's CFD work

[John S]

The Virgin team have confirmed today, at the Autosport International racing car show, that the finishing touches to a massive computer system, detailed below, are almost complete. The massive scale of the system was revealed last November, but now we have confirmation from the team that new enhanced CFD developments are underway on the super computer. Whilst I'm sure it will be a big help in ensuring the fuel cell is the right size, if nothing else, it sounds much too big for my home set up.  

Virgin Racing is to ramp up its computer simulation capabilities next year in a move that will set a new benchmark in Formula 1, the team has revealed. On the back of a tie-up with Russian sportscar maker Marussia, Virgin's technical chief Nick Wirth has revealed plans for a major expansion of its CFD (computational fluid dynamics) facility - making it the biggest in Formula 1 and third in the world in terms of processing power. "We are putting a gigantic installation in," said Wirth at the announcement of its tie-up with Marussia in Abu Dhabi. "Our CFD partners say the new installation will be the third largest in the world. It is unbelievably exciting for us." The new facility in Banbury, which will cover 70,000 square feet and provide the team 3.3 terabytes of information per day, is due to be finished in January. Although that means it will not have any impact on the design of the 2011 contender, Wirth is hopeful that its data will help with the first update package for the new car. "At the moment we are still using resources similar to the ones we have got this year, albeit much more efficiently, but hopefully the new installation will be good for the first update kit when we come to Europe," he said. Although there remain cynics in the pitlane about Virgin's use of CFD, rather than wind tunnel work, Wirth is convinced it is the right way to go.

By Jonathan Noble, Autosport.com  November 11th 2010.

 

[Jericoke]

If nothing else, this says to me the team is serious about staying in the sport.

So even if the idea is half baked, I like it.

[lkjohnson1950]

Most of the math behind CFD programs is extrapolated from data obtained in wind tunnels. The rest is theory, nice but unproven. And I will repeat that some of the stuff that works in the wind tunnel doesn't work at the track, so how well will theoretical stuff work? I wait to be impressed.

Lonny

[Canada Darrell™]

Most of the math behind CFD programs is extrapolated from data obtained in wind tunnels. The rest is theory, nice but unproven. And I will repeat that some of the stuff that works in the wind tunnel doesn't work at the track, so how well will theoretical stuff work? I wait to be impressed.

Lonny

Me too! From what I've seen about CFD, if done correctly, it can really cut down on the time between design theory and fabrication. Hopefully they have the technical experts to go along with the large pocketbooks. Wouldn't that be cool if they ace it and actually produce results? 

[cosworth151]

Sadly, between the cost of the computer and Virgin's limited budget, the only software they could afford was a copy of DOS 2.2 on 5 1/2 inch floppy discs.

[lkjohnson1950]

 

Lonny

[Jericoke]

Sadly, between the cost of the computer and Virgin's limited budget, the only software they could afford was a copy of DOS 2.2 on 5 1/2 inch floppy discs.

"640K ought to be enough for anybody."
  - Bill Gates (attributed)