ESTIMATION OF VEHICLE AERODYNAMIC DRAG

A simple procedure was developed for the estimation of road vehicle aerodynamic drag based on easily quantifiable vehicle shape parameters. The procedure is applicable to passenger vehicles, station wagons, and vans and is based on a 'drag build-up' method which includes the effects of the basic body shape, underpanning, and cooling drag. Not included are effects of lift, sidewind, ground clearance, and certain shape details. The limitations of the procedure are discussed and improvements and areas requiring further study are identified. In a related activity, a brief investigation was made of possible techniques for determining vehicle frontal area from photographs of cars. Planimeter measurements of frontal area were made from photographic enlargements of approximately 80 cars. The results of this effort are included as an appendix. Bibliographies on road vehicle aerodynamic drag and on wind tunnel and full-scale road testing techniques are also appended.

• Corporate Authors:

  Aerospace Corporation

  2350 East El Sequdo Boulevard
  El Sequndo, CA  United States  90245

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Emission Control Technology Division, 2565 Plymounth Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48105
• Authors:
  • Pershing, B
  • Masaki, M
• Publication Date: 1976-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 57 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamic lift; Aerodynamics; Air resistance; Bibliographies; Drag; Motor vehicle bodies; Motor vehicles; Streamlining; Vehicle characteristics; Wind tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile bodies
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175126
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ATR-77(7359)-1, EPA/460/3-76/025
• Contract Numbers: EPA-68-01-0417
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1978 12:00AM