Abstract
In preliminary validation studies, computational predictions from the commercial CFD codes Star-CD were compared with detailed velocity, pressure and force balance data from experiments completed in the 7 ft. by 10 ft. wind tunnel at NASA Ames using a Generic Conventional Model (GCM) that is representative of typical current-generation tractor-trailer geometries. Lessons learned from this validation study were then applied to the prediction of aerodynamic drag impacts associated with various changes to the GCM geometry, including the addition of trailer based drag reduction devices and modifications to the radiator and hood configuration. Add-on device studies have focused on ogive boat tails, with initial results indicating that a seven percent reduction in drag coefficient is easily achievable. Radiator and hood reconfiguration studies have focused on changing only the size of the radiator and angle of the hood components without changes to radii of curvature between the radiator grill and hood components. Initial results indicate that such changes lead to only modest changes in drag coefficient.
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References
McCallen R et al, “DOE’s Effort to Reduce Truck Aerodynamic Drag – Joint Experiments and Computations Lead to Smart Design," AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference, AIAA, Portland, OR, 2004. UCRL-CONF-204819
David Pointer, Tanju Sofu, and David Weber, “Development of Guidelines for the Use of Commercial CFD in Tractor-Trailer Aerodynamic Design," 2005 SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Conference, Chicago, IL, November 2005. (SAE Paper No. 05CV-120).
David Pointer, “Evaluation of Commercial CFD Code Capabilities for Prediction of Heavy Vehicle Drag Coefficients," Proceedings of the 2004 AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibition, Portland, Oregon, June 2004. (AIAA-2004-2254)
David Pointer, Tanju Sofu, and David Weber, “Commercial CFD Code Validation for Heavy-Vehicle External Aerodynamics Simulation", in R McCallen, F Browand, and J Ross, eds., The Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles: Trucks, Buses and Trains, Berlin: Springer Verlag, 2004, pp 473-484.
Star-CD, CD-adapco group, Melville, NY.
Satran D, “An Experimental Study of the Generic Conventional Model (GCM) in the NASA Ames 7-by-10-Foot Wind Tunnel," United Engineering Foundation Conference on the Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles: Trucks, Buses, and Trains, United Engineering Foundation, New York, 2002.
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Pointer, D., Sofu, T., Chang, J., Weber, D. (2009). Applicability of Commercial CFD Tools for Assessment of Heavy Vehicle Aerodynamic Characteristics. In: Browand, F., McCallen, R., Ross, J. (eds) The Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles II: Trucks, Buses, and Trains. Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics, vol 41. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85070-0_33
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85070-0_33
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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