Aerodynamic study of vehicles in formation under crosswind

• Main Authors: Yudianto, Aan, Setiawan, Wahyu, Julianto, Febri, Aminudin, Umar
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamic coefficients; Crosswinds; Drag coefficients; Drag reduction; Vehicles; Wind effects; Yaw
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0114571

A group of vehicles traveling in a formation generally experiences more complex aerodynamic behavior. The phenomenon becomes more intricate when a crosswind is considered. The study investigates the aerodynamic response of four different vehicle formations by considering crosswind conditions and employing a modified reference model. The study examines the resulting aerodynamic response in terms of drag coefficient, lift force coefficient, side force coefficient, and pressure coefficient around the vehicles. The first case identifies the vehicle travel in four types of formation with the absence of crosswind. The second case investigates when the vehicle formation travels with the interference of crosswind, producing a 20° yaw angle of the incoming flow. The results indicate that vehicles in the first row relatively generate a lower drag coefficient compared to other vehicles. Two vehicles running at the same row generate an opposing value of side force coefficient when traveling without crosswind. The vehicle positioned at the rear part of the formation benefits more in terms of drag reduction. The presence of crosswind considerably increases the aerodynamic coefficient in nearly all vehicles in the formation.