Reduced Aerodynamic Drag for Truck-Trailer Configurations Using Parametrized CFD Studies

In the presented work, two studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have been conducted on a generic truck-like model with and without a trailer unit at a speed of 80 km/h. The purpose is to evaluate drag reduction possibilities using externally fitted devices. A first study deals with a flap placed at the back of a rigid truck and inclined at seven different angles with two lengths. Results show that it is possible to decrease drag by 4%. In a second study, the flap has been fitted on the tractor and trailer units of a truck-trailer combination. Four settings were surveyed for this investigation, one of which proved to decrease drag by up to 15%. A last configuration where the gap between the units has been closed has also been evaluated. This configuration offers a 15% decrease in drag. Adding a flap to the closed gap configuration decreases drag by 18%. New means of reducing aerodynamic drag of heavy-duty (HD) vehicles will be important in the foreseeable future in order to improve the fuel economy. The possibilities of reducing drag are prevalent using conceptual design.