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U.S. Department of Energy
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Investigation of drag reduction for a standard truck with various modifications. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5894292
A wind tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the influence of several physical variables on the aerodynamic drag of a standard truck model. The physical variables included: a cab mounted air deflector, a boattail on the rear of the cargo compartment, flow-vanes on the front of the cargo compartment, and a forebody fairing over the cab. Tests were conducted at yaw angles (relative wind angle) of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 degrees and Reynolds numbers of 3.4 x 100,000 to 6.1 x 100,000 based upon the equivalent diameter of the vehicles. The forebody fairing and the flow-vane with the closed bottom were very effective in improving the flow over the forward part of the cargo compartment. The forebody fairing provided a calculated fuel saving of 5.6 liters per hour (1.5 gallons per hour) over the baseline configuration for a ground speed of 88.6 km/hr (55 mph) in national average winds.
Research Organization:
Kansas Univ. Center for Research, Inc., Lawrence (USA)
OSTI ID:
5894292
Report Number(s):
NASA-CR-163107
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English