Effect of Different Parameters on the Drag Coefficient for Commercial Vehicles

F., Abdel Azim A.; F., Abdel Gawad A.

doi:10.21608/asat.2001.24764

Effect of Different Parameters on the Drag Coefficient for Commercial Vehicles

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Chairman, Mechanical Power Engineering Dpt., Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

² Assistant Professor, Mechanical Power Engineering Dpt., Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt .

10.21608/asat.2001.24764

Abstract

Large commercial vehicles (e.g. truck-trailer combination), due to their function, are bluff bodies by nature. The truck-trailer combination usually gives a drag coefficient that is less than that for a trailer alone. The interference between the commercial vehicles and other small vehicles is of primary importance especially when moving in driving tunnels that are characterized by their limited space. 1/19-scale models for commercial vehicles are employed in the experimental work performed here. Three-dimensional pressure measurements are recorded for analyzing the aerodynamic behavior and calculating the drag coefficient. Add-on devices (deflectors) are used. Measurements are supported by both numerical calculations and flow visualization. Results show that add-on devices play a very important role in improving the aerodynamic characteristics of commercial vehicles.

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