Aerodynamic Simulations of a Class 8 Heavy Truck: Comparison to Wind Tunnel Results and Investigation of Blockage Influences

Document Number: 2007-01-4295

Date Published: October 2007

Author(s):
Kevin Horrigan - Exa Corporation
Brad Duncan - Exa Corporation
Anurag Gupta
Pradeep Sivakumar - Exa Corporation

Abstract:
The accuracy of the Lattice-Boltzmann-based simulation method for prediction of aerodynamic drag on a heavy truck was evaluated by comparing results to twenty percent scale model wind tunnel measurements from the University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory (UWAL). A detailed preproduction Kenworth T2000 tractor trailer was used as the scale model. The results include a comparison of normalized drag between simulation and wind tunnel as well as percentage drag change with the addition of a radius to the rear edge of the trailer. Significant effort was involved to model all of the wind tunnel details affecting the tractor-trailer drag. These are discussed along with the results of additional simulations which were performed to study the impact of the UWAL tunnel geometry relative to a tunnel with the same blockage and constant cross-sectional area, and a case with negligible blockage. Advanced post-processing of the simulation results was used to study the drag contribution from the trailer features including underbody, rear bumper, and bogie wheel assembly.

File Size: 18358K
Product Status: In Stock

Included in: V116-2007

See other papers presented at SAE 2007 Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition, October 2007, Rosemont, IL, USA, Session: Aerodynamics / Fuel Economy (Part 1 of 2)

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