Container Effect on Truck Aerodynamic CFD Simulation

An overview of the container effect on truck aerodynamic CFD simulation

Project Description

With an eye toward lowering drag force—which is absolutely essential for increasing forward movement, fuel economy, and environmental impact—this research centers on the aerodynamics of a vehicle.  The aerodynamic drag force on a vehicle with and without a container is investigated in ANSYS Fluent using CFD simulation.

Geometry and Meshing

• Design Tools: Solidworks and Design Modeler help to design truck geometry.
• Meshing: Using a polyhedral mesh in ANSYS Meshing, create 663,127 elements for the truck alone and 1,095,371 elements for the truck including a container.

Methodology: Container Impact on Truck Aerodynamics

• Simulation Comparison: Evaluates two configurations—truck with and without a container.
• Turbulence Model:Gets better results by using the k-w SST model with a standard wall function.
• Solver Type: Solver based on pressure with SIMPLE momentum and coupling.

Conclusion

For both layouts, the simulation offers understanding of speed, pressure, and drag force:

• Drag Reduction: It is better for low air resistance since the drag force is less without the container.
• Flow Separation: By lowering the angle at the end of the container relative to the truck roof edge, the container delays flow separation at the rear, therefore lowering drag.
• Vortex Intensity: Images of flow lines show that, without the container, the angle of the truck's top edge influences vortex intensity.
• Pressure Coefficient: Pressure coefficient diagram analysis supports observations and highlights variations between the two setups.