A CFD Investigation into the Flow Distribution on a Car passing by a Truck

Abstract

The flow distribution occurring on a car when it is passing by a truck is investigated using three dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics. The free stream velocity over the vehicles was varied keeping the relative velocity of the vehicles equal to zero. This approach assumes that the relative velocity of the vehicles has a negligible effect on the flow distribution. The overtaking manoeuvre is analysed with the vehicles at three different static positions, with unsteady flow conditions. As the car passes the truck during an overtaking manoeuvre the flow around the two vehicles interact generating pressure variation over the car, this leads to adverse effect on the car handling and stability.