The drag reduction capability of a trailer underbody fairing is investigated using steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations of a full-scale heavy vehicle traveling at highway speed within a crosswind. The flow field about the vehicle is modeled for two different fairing designs of varying length that yield reductions in the drag coefficient ranging from 0.013 to 0.042. Analysis of the trailer underbody flow field indicates that the fairings decrease the size of a recirculation zone that exists immediately downstream of the tractor drive wheels by providing a surface to which the separated underbody flow can reattach. A comparison of the pressure coefficients across the surface of the fairings demonstrates that the longer fairings produce greater pressure coefficients, hence resulting in a larger reduction in drag than the shorter fairings. One of the fairings is shown to outperform traditional trailer side skirts, which yield a reduction in the drag coefficient of 0.035. The results of this investigation indicate that the fairing may be a viable add-on device for mitigating trailer underbody drag, while providing ground clearances greater than that of trailer side skirts.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Investigation of a Trailer Underbody Fairing for Heavy Vehicle Aerodynamic Drag Reduction


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:
    Ortega, J. M. (author) / Salari, K. (author)

    Conference:

    Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress & Exhibition ; 2008



    Publication date :

    2008-10-07




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Investigation of a trailer underbody fairing for heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reduction

    Ortega,J.M. / Salari,K. / Lawrence Livermore National Labs.,US | Automotive engineering | 2008


    2008-01-2601 Investigation of a Trailer Underbody Fairing for Heavy Vehicle Aerodynamic Drag Reduction

    Ortega, J.M. / Salari, K. / Society of Automotive Engineers | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008


    TRAILER UNDERBODY FAIRING SYSTEM

    HEIN DUANE EDWIN / COSTERUS ALEC | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access

    Trailer underbody fairing system

    HEIN DUANE EDWIN / COSTERUS ALEC | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    TRAILER UNDERBODY FAIRING SYSTEM

    HEIN DUANE EDWIN / COSTERUS ALEC | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access