WIND-TUNNEL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF TURNING VANES ON THE AERODYNAMIC DRAG OF TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCKS

A wind-tunnel study was made of the reduction of the aerodynamic drag of tractor-trailer trucks due to turning vanes used to control flow separation. A variety of vane settings and positions were investigated on the tractor and on the trailer. It was found that substantial drag reductions were obtained by employing turning vanes on the lower part of the front vertical edges of the tractor. Vanes mounted elsewhere had a smaller effect on the aerodynamic drag. Vane setting, turning angle and edge radius were found to be highly important.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for meeting held November 27 to December 2, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Marks, C H
  • Buckley Jr, F T
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Angularity; Drag; Lathes; Machining; Pumps; Radius; Tractor trailer combinations; Trailers; Trucks; Vane shear tests; Vanes (Machinery); Wind tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Angles
• Old TRIS Terms: Turning /machining/
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176611
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASME 77-WA-FE-15
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 1978 12:00AM