Ricardo Wave Tutorial May 2026

Upon opening WAVE, you are greeted with a graphical interface. The main window is your Sketch Pad, where you will build the schematic of your system.

To the left, you have the Part Tree (a hierarchy of all components) and usually a library of templates. Familiarize yourself with the toolbar, specifically the icons for Junctions and Ducts, as these are the building blocks of your model.

Let us build a naturally aspirated, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine. ricardo wave tutorial

The secret to a perfect wave is Isolation. Only one joint moves at a time. Do not rush.

In the world of automotive engineering and powertrain design, the sound of an engine is no longer just a byproduct of combustion—it is a engineered feature. From the throaty growl of a muscle car to the hushed refinement of an electric vehicle's cooling system, acoustics define the user experience. Upon opening WAVE, you are greeted with a

At the forefront of this engineering discipline is Ricardo WAVE, the industry-standard 1D gas dynamics and acoustics simulation software. Whether you are a student aiming to break into the automotive sector or a seasoned engineer transitioning from 3D CFD, this tutorial provides a roadmap to navigating the WAVE environment.


This is where the model comes to life. A WAVE model is a network of two primary elements: This is where the model comes to life

Tutorial Exercise: To build a simple intake system, start by placing an Ambient Junction (Atmosphere). Draw a Duct from it connecting to an Orifice Junction (representing the throttle body). Connect another Duct from the Orifice to a Volume Junction (representing the intake plenum).

From the Palette: