Aerodynamic Devices Can Significantly Reduce the Fuel Consumption of Trucks: Experience With CECA Designs

An economic study relating aerodynamic performance to fuel consumption has been completed. An experimental windtunnel evaluation of both new shapes and modified shapes for semi-tractors has been conducted and the results show that it is possible to both modify existing tractors and design new tractors which will result in substantial fuel savings. The windtunnel tests included collecting force and moment data at various yaw angles on several tractor-trailer combinations, including cabovers and conventional tractors, a variety of streamlining modifications to those tractors, plus some entirely new tractor shapes. A method for incorporating the modifications on existing tractors has been road tested and the results are discussed.