Improvement of Engine Cooling Performance for a Construction Truck using Numerical and Experimental Methods

The purpose of this study is to present the effects of several design actions on engine cooling performance of a heavy duty construction truck, with the aid of numerical and experimental investigations. The design actions involve the modifications of the front end geometry and implementation of different heat exchangers and fans. The sensitivity of engine cooling performance related to the concerned design changes is monitored with the variation in the engine coolant temperature. Numerical investigations are carried out with the Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes Equations based CFD solver, UH3D, and the results are validated with the experiments conducted at Behr wind tunnel facilities in Stuttgart. It is seen that the experimental results show good correlation with the CFD simulations.