REDUCING TRUCK AERODYNAMIC DRAG

Aerodynamic drag is a significant factor in fuel consumption of tractor-trailers. Since aerodynamic resistance increases as the square of the speed, fuel costs to overcome air resistance quadruple when vehicle speed is doubled. At 55 mph a heavy truck requires over 100 hp to overcome air resistance alone. Several devices were tested for their ability to reduce aerodynamic drag when mounted on tractor-trailers and thus improve fuel economy. An airfoil shield, a lip-type device, and a porous screen were all found to give significant reductions in aerodynamic drag with accompanying fuel savings.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2240909
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  United States  15096
• Publication Date: 1975-8

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 40-43
• Serial:
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Volume: 83
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • ISSN: 0098-2571

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Air resistance; Control devices; Drag forces; Energy; Fuel consumption; Speed; Testing; Tractor trailer combinations; Trucks; Vehicle performance
• Old TRIS Terms: Truck performance
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00099283
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 10 1975 12:00AM