AN INVESTIGATION OF DRAG REDUCTION ON BOX-SHAPED GROUND VEHICLES

A wind tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the reduction in drag which could be obtained by making various configuration changes to a box-shaped ground vehicle. Tests were conducted at yaw (relative wind) angles of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 degrees and Reynolds numbers of 300,000 to 850,000. The power required to overcome the aerodynamic drag was reduced by a maximum of 73% for a head wind for the best configuration relative to the smooth bottom box-shape, or 75% relative to the rough bottom box-shape. The reduction for a 20 MPH wind at 30 deg to the vehicle path was, respectively, 77% and 79%. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Center for Research, Incorporated

  Kansas University, 2385 Irving Road
  Lawrence, KS  United States  66045
• Authors:
  • Muirhead, V U
• Publication Date: 1976-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 94 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drag; Ground vehicles; Railroad trains; Resistance (Mechanics); Reynolds number; Velocity; Wind; Wind tunnels; Yaw
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wind direction
• Old TRIS Terms: Drag reduction; Surface vehicles; Train resistance; Wind velocity
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146742
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-CR-1488-29 Final Rpt., KU-FRL-180
• Contract Numbers: NSG-4004
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM