Design of Low Drag Bluff Road Vehicles

Doctoral thesis (2012)

Contributors

M.J.L. Van Tooren (promotor)
Department
Flight Performance and Propulsion (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2012 Van Raemdonck, G.M.R.
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Published Date

11-05-2012

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Flight Performance and Propulsion

Abstract

Low drag bluff road vehicle design can be obtained effectively and efficiently with a three phase approach that uses numerical simulations, scaled wind tunnel experiments and full-scale road testing. By applying this generalised method, SideWings were developed for an improved trailer underbody flow and tails for the trailer's rear-end. A combination of these aerodynamic devices resulted in fuel savings of up to 3 l/100 km. Further improvements could be obtained by an integral vehicle design when the front of the bluff body is redesigned as well. Although front adjustments of a bluff body are less effective, they have an influence on the drag reduction of rear-end devices, which are necessary to aerodynamically improve bluff bodies.