Wind tunnel experiment on a heavy truck equipped with front-rear trailer device

• Published in: Journal of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics Vol. 171; pp. 101 - 109
• Main Authors: Salati, L., Schito, P., Cheli, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2017
• ISSN: 0167-6105; 1872-8197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jweia.2017.09.016

The aerodynamic drag of a “common” European heavy truck equipped with Front-Rear trailer device, earlier designed by the authors with numerical simulations, was investigated through wind tunnel testing on a 1:10 scale model.
The device, placed on the top and sides of the trailer, as well as at the front and rear, increases the overall dimensions of the heavy truck by less than 1% in width and height, and reduces the overall drag by about 10%. The Front-Rear trailer device was separated into several parts (top, side, front and rear) to analyze which one reduced the drag more. An analysis was carried out on several parts of the same device simultaneously installed on the trailer (for example top-front and top-rear devices mounted at the same time), in addition to an analysis of the performance of the Front trailer device based on the length of the device itself. Tests were performed both in front wind and crosswind conditions.
The device is expected to generate a consistent drag reduction both in front wind and crosswind, to reduce greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions.