Heavy Goods Vehicle: We Need Computer help and Hints

[Zarnikon]

Me and my group are working on a project around the aerodynamics of a Truck (Heavy Good Vehicle).
We have to test current methods and if possible try to make a few adjustments ourself.

So far I have read that "SideSkirts" and a "Boat Tail" perform good.
We are planning to learn the basics of Aerodynamics and do the heavy calculating with the pc (CFD i think it was called).
I have the program SolidWorks Premium 2009 on my PC and Ansys Fluent. Fluent was a bit to complicated so I'd prefer working with Solidworks and Solidworks Flow Simulation.

Now my question is if you have any idea's that could improve Aerodynamics and if perhaps you have an old Solidworks file of a truck or some links to Tuts to develop stuff like this.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the bad English (It's not my mother tongue)

[ChazInMT]

You need to post a representative picture of the truck in question I think for people to have something to go off of.

[cfg83]

Zarnikon -

Welcome to EM! I would google the Nasa truck research and go from there ...


AeroTruck E-38096: Air flow testing on aerodynamic truck
Aerodynamics Research Revolutionizes Truck Design
NASA - Aerodynamic Truck Studies
Dr. Chris Roy | AOE | Virginia Tech

CarloSW2

[Intense]

What make, model, and year? Fender skirts and a belly pan would also help if possible.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Zarnikon -

Welcome to EM! I would google the Nasa truck research and go from there ...


AeroTruck E-38096: Air flow testing on aerodynamic truck
Aerodynamics Research Revolutionizes Truck Design
NASA - Aerodynamic Truck Studies
Dr. Chris Roy | AOE | Virginia Tech

CarloSW2

I especially like how they turned the nose of that truck into a cab-over type shape (flat nose) to reduce frontal shape drag.

[Zarnikon]

Thanks for the tips, I will look into the belly pan and the Nasa Truck

Originally Posted by ChazInMT

You need to post a representative picture of the truck in question I think for people to have something to go off of.

There isn't really a truck in question, just in general trucks, I don't care what moddel, we just want to (virtually) mod one and test how much we could save on fuel.

[ChazInMT]

Check out the General Efficiency forum, under papers there are several articles & such specifically about trucks & such.

Here's a link

.Fuel Economy & Related Papers