THE USE OF SMALL SCALE WIND TUNNEL DATA IN THE DESIGN OF CAB-OVER-ENGINE TRACTOR/TRAILER COMBINATIONS 790767
A critical assessment of the usefulness of small scale wind tunnel data in optimizing the design of heavy duty cab-over-engine tractor/trailer combinations is presented. The correct selection of cab leading edge radii has long been recognized as a dramatic means of reducing aerodynamic drag and hence fuel consumption. However, the validity of extrapolating small scale wind tunnel designs into full size vehicles has been a source of continuing controversy. Results of literature search and original wind tunnel studies lead to the conclusion that carefully conducted one-tenth scale wind tunnel investigations can be used to select accurate and somewhat conservative full-scale designs.
Citation: Kangas, T., "THE USE OF SMALL SCALE WIND TUNNEL DATA IN THE DESIGN OF CAB-OVER-ENGINE TRACTOR/TRAILER COMBINATIONS," SAE Technical Paper 790767, 1979, https://doi.org/10.4271/790767. Download Citation
Author(s):
Tim Kangas
Pages: 9
Event:
International West Coast Meeting
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Related Topics:
Wind tunnel tests
Drag
Fuel consumption
Trailers
Optimization
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