Aerodynamic Devices for Reducing Drag on Tractor-trailer Vehicles. Report no. 8002

Wong, H.Y. and Rajan, A.A. (1980) Aerodynamic Devices for Reducing Drag on Tractor-trailer Vehicles. Report no. 8002. Technical Report. Department of Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Summary: Wind tunnel investigation has been carried out into the drag of a typical tractor - trailer combination and into methods of reducing it. Various devices based on the principle of energy exchange have been developed for controlling the effects of flow separation which is regarded as the cause of high aerodynamic drag of this type of vehicle. These devices can generally be divided into three groups according to their geometrical shapes and functions namely plates, curved vanes and ducts. Many configurations and combinations have been studied for the purpose of arriving at a suitable system capable of reducing drag of an. appreciable quantity from the trailer as well as from the tractor, in calm air as well as in yaw. The outcome of the investigation is a system consisting of three individual units. They are the flow-guide integrated with an air-duct to fit on the tractor roof, a cross-plate system to fit to the trai1er front face and a set of corner vanes to fit to the tractor’s front side edges. The first unit alone is able to produce a substantial drag reduction. The remaining two are refinements of the first. Together, they can reduce by as much as one third of the total, using the present configuration. Further improvement is considered possible. When comparing with other types of add-on devices commonly claimed to be highly effective, the present system is superior.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Technical Report)
• Additional Information: University of Glasgow authors: H.Y. Wong and A.A. Rajan.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Wong, H.Y., and Rajan, A.A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Publisher: Department of Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics, University of Glasgow
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 1980 Department of Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics, University of Glasgow
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Department