This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Aerodynamic Performance of a Drag Reduction Device on a Full-Scale Tractor/Trailer
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The effectiveness of an aerodynamic boattail on a tractor/trailer road vehicle was measured in the NASA Ames Research Center 80- by 120- Foot Wind Tunnel. Results are examined for the tractor/trailer with and without the drag reduction device. Pressure measurements and flow visualization show that the aerodynamic boattail traps a vortex or eddy in the corner formed between the device and the rear corner of the trailer. This recirculating flow turns the flow inward as it separates from the edges of the base of the trailer. This modified flow behavior increases the pressure acting over the base area of the truck, thereby reducing the net aerodynamic drag of the vehicle. Drag measurements and pressure distributions in the region of the boattail device are presented for selected configurations. The optimum configuration reduces the overall drag of the tractor/trailer combination by about 10 % at a zero yaw angle. Unsteady pressure measurements do not indicate strong vortex shedding, although the addition of the boattail plates increases high frequency content of the fluctuating pressure.
Recommended Content
Authors
Citation
Lanser, W., Ross, J., and Kaufman, A., "Aerodynamic Performance of a Drag Reduction Device on a Full-Scale Tractor/Trailer," SAE Technical Paper 912125, 1991, https://doi.org/10.4271/912125.Also In
References
- Saltzman, E.J. “A Summary of NASA Dryden's Truck Aerodynamic Research” SAE Paper 821284 , Truck & Bus Meeting & Exposition Indianapolis, Indiana November 1982
- Peterson, R.L. “Drag Reduction Obtained by the Addition of a Boattail to a Box Shaped Vehicle” August 1981
- Schaub, U.W. Olson, M.E. Raimondo, S. “Correction of Wind Tunnel Force Data for Yawed Full-and Half-Scale Truck Models Using a Modified Pressure Signature Method” SAE Paper 90-0187, 1990 SAE International Congress and Exposition February 1990
- Bilanin, A.J. Williamson, G.G. Geyer, R.G. “Reducing U.S. Import Oil Dependence by One Billion Gallons of Diesel Fuel Per Year” C.D.I. Report No. 85-06 July 1985