Cross-Wind load effects on different vehicle body geometries

Abstract eng:
Cross-winds are significant contributors to side force and rolling moment on moving as well as stationary vehicles. Dimensionless aerodynamic coefficients such as that of side force, lift and rolling moment provide us information that may help us calculate the rollover risk associated with the vehicle. In the past generic reference models have been used to analyze passenger vehicles due to their advantages such as simple geometry and repeatability (Le Good and Garry, 2004). These reference models closely resemble the geometries of cars and other ground vehicles in production. Hence carrying out investigations on these reference models will provide insights into the forces and moments that are possibly experienced by cars and other ground vehicles in actual road conditions and the impact of vehicle body geometry on the wind force coefficients experienced. The present investigation involves the determination of dimensionless aerodynamic coefficients namely, side force, lift and rolling moment of many commonly used reference bodies (such as Ahmed Body, MIRA model, SAE/ NRCC body) using computational techniques. Yaw angle and wind speed are varied for each of the models and the effects of these on the dimensionless aerodynamic coefficients are recorded. Results from these simulations are compared with available experimental results. Side force and yaw moment are most significant contributors to rollover risk and the present results indicate that this risk is highest in the yaw angle range of 45 to 60 degrees.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket