CFD of a Tank
 

Can somebody do a CFD of a tank for me? :D

I'm especially interested in what the big turret barrel does, but also everything else as well (of course).

:thumbup:

I have to be the first to say it; I bet that it's a better Cd going backwards.

I tend to believe that, but like to see some proper ABA testing to be sure ;)

A few images for inspiration.

Computer Tank Fighting
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-original.jpg

El Paso, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Anna_Range.jpg
Note: would help the Cd is they could keep the turret straight.:D

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/tank/M1/M1.gif
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/c...1A1_USMC_T.png

Defence and Freedom: January 2011
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V7Ehj7eG65...ian+Abrams.jpg

https://www.google.com/search?q=coff...icient&spell=1
http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/e2/c/imag...7784/size0.jpg

I think that the rounder Russian/Soviet T-Series tanks would have better aero than an Abrams M1, but I went with one of ours.

"Don't look for a place you can remove a ton. Look for 2000 places you can remove a pound."

As is too often the case, we did better in earlier iterations. I mean, look at these full fender skirts!
http://someinterestingfacts.net/wp-c...ank-armour.jpg

Aerodynamics would probably be significantly improved if they removed the flag(s) and antennae(s)...

At least they fit them with full belly pans from the factory...

@kach22i: I agree backwards would probably be better. I think I have heard of tank sqaudrons turning the turret around if they need to go faster. A CFD would prove it though! Thanks for the pics BTW. Also, I like the national pride, none of these outsider options! Murica! :)

I like the quote about the exhaust temp. I'm surprised they don't turbo it to use up some of that energy. It is a diesel, isn't it?

@RedDevil: I know somebody in the Navy and another in the Air Force. Don't know of somebody who can let me "borrow" a tank for the day. Besides, where do I hook up my Ultragauge! :p

@elhigh: I'm not sure what you meant by the quote, but I assume you were eluding to fixing the millions of cars on the road, rather than a few tanks. If that is what you meant, then my response would be this is just a fun excercise basedoff a day-dream thought I had. If that's not what you meant can you please explain. :confused:

Would the shape of a WWI tank work today (obviously with updated hardware)?

@NachtRitter: Yeah, they need to get one of those headliner type antennaes! Too bad the belly pans from the factory are X amount tons!

-----------------
OK, in all seriousness, can somebody do this so we can see what it looks like? Thanks! :thumbup:

Me know nothing about CFD, but let's try this:
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2010/fw9o.jpg
Astonishingly, it fits rather... Nah.

Full fender skirts AND a full template like slope to the rear. :D

My guess would be that the turbulent wake on a modern tank is around four times the size of the tanks frontal area - a complete mess !


I just tried to get a model into Falcon ( CFD ) but i keep getting crashes. Off to bed.

Well, you guys got me distracted with the WWI tank and the template (great points by the way), so I went ahead and did the template for both the WWI tank and an Abrams. RedDevil, I think the template is backwards on that tank, but thanks for the idea!

I would still like to see a CFD, though.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps806fdc55.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5fcec762.jpg

So which is better? I guess a CFD would prove one way or the other...

Gas Turbine, with many many filters for desert use.

Fuel thirsty, but highly reliable and low service per hour compared to a Diesel.

The weight really only matters in the urban (combat) driving... on the open freeway (open desert?), they can just keep the cruise on (wonder how effective P&G would be... ) :p

^^
I suspect the glide on a 60+ ton vehicle could be epic, if it weren't for the amazing rolling resistance. I mean, c'mon: TREADS.

...and let's not forget the power pulse on one of these bad boys. If you're into engine-off coasting, don't forget to factor in the fact that the starting sequence on an Abrams' turbine engine isn't just twist-n-go, and that honkin' big automatic means you can't pop the clutch to roll it off, either.

Are Ecopia treads available? Or maybe we could talk to the good people at MaxxTrax about some low-resistance, highway-friendly tracks. They'd be a lot quieter, too, and you know that's a thing inside any tank.

You're welcome ;)
Yes, is was backwards, intentonally so because:There is so much we could do to make it run more economically...
- narrower threads;
- taller gearing,
- leave the spare at home. There is road service everywhere these days;
- SG/UG!
- Adjust the nut behind the steering whateveritis,
- HHO to get 73% better FE. Yes! Sorry, couldn't resist ;)