Investigation of the aerodynamic phenomena associated with a long lorry platoon running through a tunnel

Zhang, Xiao-Tian1,2,3,4; Robertson, Francis H.1; Soper, David1; Hemida, Hassan1; Huang, Shi-Di2,3,4

2021-03-01

10.1016/j.jweia.2020.104514

JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS   影响因子和分区

0167-6105

1872-8197

In recent years, the concept of vehicle platooning has gained widespread attention for its highly efficient road usage and lower fuel consumption. However, the aerodynamics of vehicle platoons travelling in a tunnel are not well understood, even though more and more road tunnels have been built to alleviate the traffic congestion problem. This paper presents a detailed study of the aerodynamic flow created by a long lorry platoon running through a tunnel, conducted via a combination of model-scale experiments and Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations (IDDES). The slipstream velocity and pressure, the lorry surface pressure, as well as the drag coefficient, were investigated systematically and compared with the results obtained in the open air. The results show greater pressure variations when the platoon is running through the tunnel. The piston effect in the tunnel leads to a lower approaching velocity and a weaker flow separation compared to the case in the open air. All vehicles, in both the tunnel and the open air, experience a drag reduction due to platooning. Interestingly, the drag reduction in the tunnel is 20% greater than that in the open air, implying a greater potential in fuel saving.

Vehicle aerodynamics Lorry platoon Road tunnel Model-scale experiment IDDES Drag reduction

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

EPSRC[EP/N004213/1] ; Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province[2019B21203001]

Engineering ; Mechanics

Engineering, Civil ; Mechanics

WOS:000621600700003

ELSEVIER

20210409817909

Air ; Drag reduction ; Flow separation ; Fuel economy ; Road vehicles ; Roads and streets ; Traffic congestion

Roads and Streets:406.2 ; Energy Conservation:525.2 ; Fluid Flow:631 ; Aerodynamics, General:651.1 ; Chemical Products Generally:804

ENGINEERING

Web of Science

1.Univ Birmingham, Sch Engn, Birmingham B15 2TT, W Midlands, England
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Ctr Complex Flows & Soft Matter Res, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Aerosp Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Turbulence Res & Applicat, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China

Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Robertson, Francis H.,Soper, David,et al. Investigation of the aerodynamic phenomena associated with a long lorry platoon running through a tunnel[J]. JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS,2021,210.

Zhang, Xiao-Tian,Robertson, Francis H.,Soper, David,Hemida, Hassan,&Huang, Shi-Di.(2021).Investigation of the aerodynamic phenomena associated with a long lorry platoon running through a tunnel.JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS,210.

Zhang, Xiao-Tian,et al."Investigation of the aerodynamic phenomena associated with a long lorry platoon running through a tunnel".JOURNAL OF WIND ENGINEERING AND INDUSTRIAL AERODYNAMICS 210(2021).