Case Study: Doppelmayr Group achieves wind-tunnel-level aerodynamic accuracy and reduced testing costs with Altair ultraFluidX

CFD Solutions Transform Development, Reducing Costly Experimental Tests

Doppelmayr Group, a global manufacturer of ropeways and transport systems, faced the challenge of accurately assessing wind forces on chairlifts in mountainous, high‑wind conditions. Because wind‑tunnel testing is complex, expensive, and time‑consuming, Doppelmayr engaged Altair—using Altair HyperWorks and its ultraFluidX CFD tool—to deliver conclusive simulation data for drag, flow‑field analysis, and comparative studies of different chair and canopy configurations.

Altair implemented ultraFluidX, a GPU‑accelerated Lattice Boltzmann solver, to run automated overnight simulations across multiple chair models, canopy positions, wind directions, and deflection angles with minimal CAD prep. The results closely matched wind‑tunnel data—benchmark drag values deviated by less than 5% (with up to 100% correlation reported in some cases)—allowing Doppelmayr to greatly reduce costly experimental tests while gaining higher‑resolution aerodynamic insights.

Doppelmayr Group