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An investigation of drag reduction for tractor trailer vehicles with air deflector and boattailA wind tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the influence of several physical variables on the aerodynamic drag of a trailer model. The physical variables included: a cab mounted wind deflector, boattail on trailer, flow vanes on trailer front, forced transition on trailer, and decreased gap between tractor and trailer. Tests were conducted at yaw angles (relative wind angles) of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 degrees and Reynolds numbers of 3.58 x 10 to the 5th power 6.12 x 10 to the 5th power based upon the equivalent diameter of the vehicles. The wind deflector on top of the cab produced a calculated reduction in fuel consumption of about 5 percent of the aerodynamic portion of the fuel budget for a wind speed of 15.3 km/hr (9.5 mph) over a wind angle range of 0 deg to 180 deg and for a vehicle speed of 88.5 km/hr (55 mph). The boattail produced a calculated 7 percent to 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption under the same conditions. The decrease in gap reduced the calculated fuel consumption by about 5 percent of the aerodynamic portion of the fuel budget.
Document ID
19810008436
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Muirhead, V. U. (Kansas Univ. Center for Research, Inc. Lawrence, KS, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1981
Subject Category
Urban Technology And Transportation
Report/Patent Number
KU-FRL-406-1
NASA-CR-163104
Accession Number
81N16955
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 141-20-11
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-4021
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-4023
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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