Numerical Analysis of the Rear Wind Influence on the Truck During Travel

Abstract

Rear wind is the air flow that blows in the rear side of the truck. Also known as a tailwind, this aerodynamic force can cause stability issues during forward travel. The methodology of the study is CFD numerical analysis of vehicle aerodynamics. The results will be acquired for the influential aerodynamic parameters, which includes velocity, pressure, vortex, stress, that will explain the impact of rear wind on the truck body. This is achieved with the aid of design, modelling, and simulations using software Comsol Multiphysics. The simulations were performed with freestream velocity of rear wind on the back and around the truck body. Virtual Wind tunnel is modelled around the truck to simulate the wind blow and distribution. There are two airflow regimes analysed: laminar flow and turbulent flow. Simulations for the laminar air flow were implemented for Compressed air flow and the velocity limit Ma<0.3. Simulations for the turbulent air flow regime were implemented based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANS) and K-ω model. Anemometer device is used for the experimental measurements of the wind velocity around the truck. The wind is a function of air velocity and atmospheric pressure. The paper is in the fields of Vehicle aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Transport safety.

Keywords

• rear wind
• truck
• aerodynamic analysis
• laminar flow
• turbulent flow
• modelling
• simulations