A preliminary study of configuration effects on the drag of a tractor-trailer combination

• Main Author: Wacker, Thomas
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2010
• Subjects: Drag (Aerodynamics); Tractor trailer combinations - Fuel consumption; Aerodynamic load
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/25143

The effect of configuration changes and add-on devices on the drag reduction of a tractor-trailer is studied through wind tunnel tests using two 1/12-scale models. The configuration changes involve ground clearance, tractor-trailer gap, roof angle and back inclination while add-on devices include flow deflectors, skirts and gap seals. Moving surface boundary layer control as a means of drag reduction is also attempted. Both drag and pressure data are obtained to help identify local contributions. Results suggest that an optimum combination of configuration parameters can reduce drag up to 17% while the add-on devices resulted in a further decrease by a modest amount. The results with moving surface boundary layer control proved to be inconclusive. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Mechanical Engineering, Department of === Graduate