Assessment of the adequacy of various wind tunnel techniques to obtain aerodynamic data for ground vehicles in cross winds

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a collation of the results of several investigators for the aerodynamic forces and moments on lorries and railway containers in high cross winds, which were obtained in a variety of different wind tunnel simulations. Data for mean and extreme side and lift force coefficients are mainly considered. From this exercise the adequacy of different types of wind tunnel simulations can be determined, and in particular the viability of the “moving model rig” type of apparatus is considered. The results are also compared with the results of a theoretical analysis of the unsteady forces on ground vehicles in high cross winds.