Improving aerodynamic characteristics for drag reduction of heavy truck

A A Markina,A V Starovoytenko,A D Lukashuk,S N Chepkasov

doi:10.1088/1757-899x/862/3/032032

A A Markina, A V Starovoytenko + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/862/3/032032

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Abstract

Significant increasing vehicle performance can be achieved by reducing aerodynamic drag because of rising average speeds and reducing fuel consumption. Russian truck manufacturers do not prioritize the truck aerodynamic issues, therefore majority of existed models has a very high value of drag coefficient, and moreover, vehicles older than 10 years predominate in operation. In this regard, against the background of rising prices for liquid fuel, the reduction in aerodynamic drag allows to solve the problems posed. The article presents the results of a study of the aerodynamic drag coefficient for KAMAZ heavy truck when using a set of cab fairings of different shapes. Using the software, the analysis of the influence of the shape of the fairing on the coefficient of air resistance of the car is made. As a result, fuel economy is calculated taking into account the selected optimal cab fairing and cab–side extenders from the aerodynamic drag coefficient

Highlights

One of the priorities in the automotive and transport industries is reducing fuel consumption and increasing average vehicle speeds
The aerodynamic drag depends on vehicle velocity in a quadratic relationship and is often not taken into account at low speeds, because of which Russian truck manufacturers have not been taking into consideration such a design stage as the development of the cab shape
The results, which obtained in the course of the study, showed that the using of cab fairings on KAMAZ heavy truck can significantly reduce the force of aerodynamic drag by reducing the drag of the trailer

Summary

Introduction

One of the priorities in the automotive and transport industries is reducing fuel consumption and increasing average vehicle speeds. Analysis of car aerodynamics is crucial in increasing environmental friendliness of the cars, since it allows you to get fuel economy at the same engine power and increase the maximum speed of the vehicle by reducing the air resistance. The aerodynamic drag depends on vehicle velocity in a quadratic relationship and is often not taken into account at low speeds, because of which Russian truck manufacturers have not been taking into consideration such a design stage as the development of the cab shape. Aerodynamic drag is the cause for more than two-thirds of the fuel consumption of large trucks at highway speeds, in 2018, the share of road transport freight amounted to 67%, significantly exceeding the shares of rail, air and water transport.

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Findings

Conclusion