Ricardo Wave Tutorial May 2026

Objective: Simulate 1500 RPM, wide-open throttle, gasoline combustion.

Key Inputs:

Expected Outputs from Tutorial:

Before clicking buttons, you must understand what Ricardo Wave actually solves.

Wave solves the Euler equations (1D continuity, momentum, and energy) for unsteady gas flow. Instead of modeling the inside of the cylinder as a solid chunk, Wave treats ducts (pipes) as a series of meshes where pressure waves travel at the speed of sound. ricardo wave tutorial

Key Concept: When an intake valve opens, a depression wave travels up the intake runner to the plenum; when it closes, a pressure wave bounces back. The accuracy of your torque curve depends entirely on how well you model the timing and magnitude of these waves.

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Example: single-cylinder naturally aspirated engine
SB (intake) → Duct → Orifice (throttle) → Duct → Junction → Duct → Intake Valve → Cylinder → Exhaust Valve → Duct → SB (exhaust) Expected Outputs from Tutorial: Before clicking buttons, you

To master this in 7 days, do this 5-minute drill daily:

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