Numerical and experimental study on the effect of cab-extender on the flow characteristics of a tractor-trailer

• Main Authors: Syed Mohamed Ali, Jaffar, Omar, Ashraf Al, Nasikin, Mohd Faiz Diuzzaman
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Penerbit Akademia Baru 2018
• Subjects: TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/68506/1/Corrected%20Camera%20ready%20pap%20ID%20250.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68506/2/letter%20of%20acceptance%20IIUM7.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/68506/; http://www.akademiabaru.com/arfmts.html
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

The aerodynamic drag on trucks can be reduced by use of active and passive techniques. In this work a passive method of using a cab-extender that is attached to the rear of the tractor is attempted. This cab-extender will help in reducing the drag force that act on the truck by minimizing the gap between the tractor and trailer. In this study, a tractor-trailer model was fabricated and tested in a low speed wind tunnel for its aerodynamics characteristics and the effect of cab-extender was also studied. Later Solid Works CFD package was used to study numerically the effect of this cab-extender on the aerodynamics of the truck and the results were validated against the experimental results. Finally using CFD approach the best angle of the cab-extender was reported for minimum drag.