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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp018049g516f
Title: Drag-Reducing Rear Fairings for Tractor Trailers
Authors: Rees, Julia
Advisors: Nosenchuck, Daniel
Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Class Year: 2013
Abstract: This study investigated the use of airfoils mounted on tractor trailers as a fuel-saving device. Inspired by prior work in the field of aerodynamic improvements for tractor trailers, study used servo-actuated airfoils to influence the wake in an attempt to lessen the pressure drag that dominates fuel consumption at highway speeds. Various configurations of airfoils were tested for their drag characteristics. It was found that although the prototype configurations suggested here rarely achieved lower drag than the baseline (unmodified) model truck, they clarified how certain design parameters, such as mounting height and chord length influenced drag. Several aerodynamic flow regimes were considered as mechanisms of improvement, such as boundary layer manipulation against a hard surface, streamlining vortex shedding by encouraging attached flow, and introducing counter-rotating tip vortices to increase pressure in the wake. From this study, it is not clear that transitioning from at-plate style devices to the novel airfoil configurations makes economic sense. However, the relationships found between the studied design parameters and drag could be applied to future iterations of aerodynamic drag reduction devices.
Extent: 53 pages
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp018049g516f
Access Restrictions: Walk-in Access. This thesis can only be viewed on computer terminals at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en_US
Appears in Collections:Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 1924-2023

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