Experimental Shape Research of Ideal Aerodynamic Characteristics for Industrial Vehicles

This paper illustrates an experimental aerodynamic research study of industrial vehicles. Tractor-trailer, truck and bus shapes are considered; in each of them the research is pursued with the aid of a representative one-half-scale model in the wind tunnel in three phases:

• local shape modifications and add-on devices study;
• definition of alternative shapes;
• definition and optimization of ideal shapes.

Reductions of ∼ 45% for tractor-trailers, 30% for trucks, and 27% for buses are obtained. This means fuel reductions of ∼ 9% (tractor-trailer) and 10.5% (truck).