Flow around an articulated lorry model

Lo, K. H. and Kontis, K. (2017) Flow around an articulated lorry model. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 82, pp. 58-74. (doi: 10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2016.11.003)

Abstract

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate both the time-averaged and instantaneous flow pattern over a scale articulated vehicle model for understanding the flow physics of tractor-trailer vehicles. Fully turbulent flow was used in the study and smoke visualisation, surface oil flow visualisation and two-component particle image velocimetry were employed for flow diagnostics. Results obtained from the time-averaged and instantaneous flow fields show different flow pattern in the wake region downstream of the rear end of the trailer model. In the time-averaged flow field, a single counter-clockwise rotating vortex is presented in the wake region due to the coil-up of the lower shear layer. The instantaneous flow pattern shows that two wake vortices are presented in the wake region downstream of the trailer model. Moreover, the interactions between the wake vortex and the upper shear layer lead to the formation of the streamwise vortices within the shear layer. These streamwise vortices grow and propagate downstream which lead to the occurrence of vortex shedding in the upper shear layer downstream of the trailer model.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lo, Dr Kin Hing and Kontis, Professor Konstantinos
• Authors: Lo, K. H., and Kontis, K.
• Subjects: T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0894-1777
• ISSN (Online): 1879-2286
• Published Online: 04 November 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 82: 58-74
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
64726	1	National Wind Tunnel Facility	Frank Coton	Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/L024888/1	VPO (ACADEMIC & EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION)