Analysis And Optimization Of High-speed Aerodynamic Characteristics Of A Container Truck In Cross Winds

When the container trucks drives at high-speeds in cross winds, its aerodynamiccharacteristics directly affect the power performance, the fuel economy performance,the transient handling and stability performance and then affect the car’s drivingsafety. When the automobiles driving at high-speeds subject to the effects of thehigher strength crosswind, the instantaneous fluctuations in the pneumatic pressure ofthe vehicle body change rapidly, resulting in the occurrence of dangerous situationssuch as yaw, sideslip, roll and so on. At the same time, the drag coefficient becomeslarger dramatically. Due to the larger aspect ratio, higher body height and center ofgravity position, the larger area of the side area and lightweight design trendsexacerbat the container trucks ’s sensitivity to the cross winds. Therefore, theaerodynamic characteristics research of the container trucks driving at high-speeds incrosswinds is necessary to comprehensively improve the overall performance of thetrucks.In this paper, firstly, adopting numerical simulation, using computational fluiddynamics software, to take simulation research on the aerodynamic characteristics ofthe container truck on the steady state side winds, then the generation mechanism andchange laws of the container truck aerodynamic were further explored. According tothe numerical model1:6shrink ratios processed into the container truck experimentalmodel, and then carried on the wind tunnel tests at Hunan University of HD-2Testing&Research Center, the simulation program and simulation results were verified. Itprovides a basis for further container trucks drag reduction and analysis andimprovement of handling stability.Secondly, by local optimization of container trucks appearance and addingadditional devices to optimize aerodynamic characteristics. In adding additionaldevices, through the design and improvement of the front steady flow, the side skirts,and the rear spoiler to achieve the purpose of fuel savings and improving the powerperformance, at the same time also take into account the purpose of the crosswindstability.Finally, by exploring a new method of combining the car aerodynamics andsystem dynamics together carried out the research of crosswinds influence on thecontainer truck handling stability. Through numerical simulation, obtained the aerodynamic and aerodynamic moment variations of the container truck at commonlyused speeds and limit speed in3to7crosswinds, and added to the dynamic model inAdams/car through step functions to analyze the driving safety. The simulation resultsshow that the container truck speed should less than80km/h when the crosswinds atthe7level, the speed should less than100km/h when the crosswinds at the6level toensure its traffic safety. It provides a reference for the container truck driving safetyunder crosswinds, as well as a new attempt and basis to the research methods andprocesses of the vehicle driving stability.