Report: Aerodynamic Design and Optimization of a Heavy Goods Vehicle

This report provides a comprehensive literature review on the aerodynamic design and optimization of trucks, specifically heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). It explores various techniques for improving aerodynamics, including modifying truck shapes to reduce drag resistance and enhance fuel efficiency. The report examines key concepts like CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and Ansys analysis, highlighting their roles in analyzing airflow and optimizing vehicle designs. It references multiple studies and research papers, discussing factors such as lift and drag forces, the impact of truck shape on performance, and the importance of streamlining designs. The review covers the evolution of aerodynamic principles in vehicle design, emphasizing the application of these principles to improve the performance of HGVs and reduce fuel consumption. The report also touches upon the significance of factors like engine parameters, rolling resistance, and weight distribution in the overall aerodynamic performance of trucks. The findings emphasize the importance of optimizing truck designs to minimize drag, improve fuel efficiency, and enhance overall vehicle performance.

Aerodynamic design and optimization of a
truck (HGV)

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Literature review............................................................................................................................................. 2
Conclusion........................................................................................................................................................... 9
References........................................................................................................................................................ 11

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Introduction
The term aerodynamics refers to the technique where air move around things and it is
used in the designing and implementing the shape of a truck. The level of aerodynamic
of any truck can be improved by changing and improving the shape of the truck and
reducing the value of drag resistance (Hu, Guo, and Yang, 2012). This research objective
is to improve the aerodynamic of a truck by modifying the shape of the truck and
analyse the concept of aerodynamic in the field of a heavy good vehicle. This report will
conduct a literature review in order to understand the concept of aerodynamic design
and collect the opinions of another author about the research topic. Moreover, the
literature review section will discuss the various kinds of the process used for
improving the aerodynamic of a truck, for example, CFD analysis, Ansys analysis,
vorticity/Recirculation analysis, velocity analysis and so on.
Literature review
It is observed that aerodynamic of the truck is one of the common topics for the
investigation and many researchers provided their views and highlight the key points
about the aerodynamic process in order to improve the shape of a truck. This section
focuses on the aerodynamic design and evaluates techniques used for modifying the
shape of the truck.
According to Kra2mer, et al., (2019) the field of aerodynamic traces was developed and
implemented in the year 1890 and Wright brothers designed the first aeroplane with
the help of wing profiles. In this modern era, many business industries adopted the
concept of aerodynamic in order to improve the shape of cars and trucks. This journal
papers identified the key factors which impact on the performance of the truck and
provided enough information about the aerodynamic of the truck. From this paper, it is
observed that the fuel economy of heavy trucks became the major problem to design
and implement the shape of the truck.
Liu, et al., (2019) analysed the best technique for reducing the level of duel consumption
is enhancing the overall performance of aerodynamic during the implementation of the
truck design. Moreover, the researcher conducted a literature review and survey in
order to collect the opinions of the other experts. Today, many business industries use

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this process for modifying the shape of the truck and they easily manage the
performance of the heavy good vehicles. A recent study about the aerodynamic design
evaluated that by improving the level of aerodynamic in trucks can help consumers to
maintain the efficiency of vehicles which lead in the improvement of the shape of a
truck.
In this modern era, everyone focuses on the energy saving process and they adopt the
high level tools for improving the aerodynamic performance of vehicle like CFD, Ansys
and so on. According to Lo, and Kontis, (2017) the performance of the aerodynamic can
be increased by changing some parameters of the truck, for example, engine parameter,
rolling resistance, the weight of the truck, the shape of the truck, aerodynamic drag and
decreasing the level of drag resistance in trucks.
This journal paper highlighted the fundamental process of aerodynamic and evaluated
the importance of aerodynamic in the performance of the truck. From this paper, it is
demonstrated that the level of aerodynamic in the heavy good vehicle can be enhanced
by modifying and changing the shape of the truck. This paper provided only theoretical
information about the aerodynamic of the truck and used an only secondary approach
which creates a research gap between facts and research topic. This literature review
focuses on the aerodynamics of the truck and explains the various kinds of techniques
used for improving the aerodynamics of the truck.
Mattana, et al., (2014) conducted a study about the aerodynamic process and provided
enough information for improving the aerodynamics of the truck. This paper discussed
that the drag and lift forces both are very important key factors of the aerodynamic
force that used in the designing and implementation process. The lift force is defined as
the process which is acting perpendicular to the direction of air flow which is used for
enhancing the level of the aerodynamics of a truck.
It is observed that the loft force can be developed by various fluid speeds over the truck
and by following the concept of Bernoulli’s principle. According to Bernoulli's Principle
when the speed of the fluid increases then the level of potential energy in the vehicle
will be reduced. According to the researcher, if the truck is moving on the road and
when various pressures are applied on the downside of the truck then a lift force will be

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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produced in the upward direction of the truck that reduces the overall stability and load
of the truck.
According to McKinnon, (2010) the lift force can be given calculated with the help of
density of fluid and speed of the truck. From this paper, it is observed that the
acceleration resistance and rolling resistance both are concerning with the weight of the
body and a large amount of fuel can be involved in the truck in order to reduce the
aerodynamic force. For improving the shape of the truck can lead the aerodynamics of
the truck and it can be done with the help of CFD analysis approach. This journal article
explained the fundamental working of the CFD process and designed the shape of the
truck more effectively that improved the aerodynamics of the truck.
Papageorgiou, et al., (2018) argued that the aerodynamic drag is defined as the wind
resistance which is a retarding force exerted on the trick by using air. Such kind of force
can increase several problems in the truck performance and it also reduces the
aerodynamic of the truck. In this research study researcher used both quantitative and
qualitative methods for improving the effectiveness of the paper. According to the
author, the quantity of energy needed to reduce the aerodynamic drag is affected by
major three elements, for example, the effective surface of the truck, the shape of the
truck, and the speed at which the truck is moving on the road. Therefore, if consumers
modify the shape of the truck then they can reduce the issue of aerodynamic drag which
can increase the aerodynamic of the truck.
Salati, Schito, and Cheli, (2017) suggested that a truck with a streamlined shape can
reduce the rate of the aerodynamic drag and improve the overall performance of the
truck. An effective shape of the truck play a significant role in the improvement of
aerodynamic of the heavy good vehicle and consumers can modify the shape of the
truck with the help of several techniques, for example, CFD analysis, Ansys analysis and
velocity analysis. There are few other techniques which can be used for the improving
the rate of aerodynamic in the truck, for example, managing the frontal surface area of
the truck, and controlling the speed of the truck at which it is moving on the road.
This paper identified the several working principles by which the aerodynamic of the
truck can be enhanced, for example, the shape of the truck should be smooth and modify
as much as possible, reduce the gap between the truck and the trailer, and the rear part

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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of the trailer should be rounded in order to reduce drag resistance. It is discussed that
the smooth transition between the truck cab and body can help individuals for
improving the aerodynamic of the vehicle. In the last four years the shapes of the trucks
have been changed and many industries adopted the aerodynamic concept where they
design and implement the truck in the rounded shape for reducing the losses and drag
resistance.
According to Salati, ett al., (2018) the CFD is defined as the computational fluid dynamic
technique which is used in the industries for improving the shape of the truck. This
paper highlighted the significance of the CFD analysis technique in the increment of
aerodynamic of the truck. The CFD is a tool which is used in the form of commercial
computer software and it was utilized to implement the shape of the truck and heavy
good vehicle. Such kind of process is used by consumers for analysing and solving the
problems occurred in the implementation of the shape of the truck.
It has the potential to reduce and solve the problem of fluid flow by modifying the shape
of the vehicle. Skrucany, Sarkan, and Gnap, (2016) evaluated that the computational
fluid dynamic play a crucial character in the truck aerodynamic where it allows
consumers to analyse the airflow and better understand how air moves around the
truck. In this research paper, the author used the qualitative method for collecting the
theoretical data and facts about the truck aerodynamic. Moreover, this technique also
helps individuals for reducing the noise and aerodynamic drags by improving the
performance of the truck. The author concluded that every component of the shape of
the truck can reduce the aerodynamic drag and CFD has the ability to modify the truck
shape more effectively.
According to Taherkhani, et al., (2015) the reduction of the aerodynamic drag comes
from major three factors, for example, rear, and gap and under the body. By modifying
all these factors engineers can improve aerodynamic of the heavy good vehicle and they
can easily maintain the level of the aerodynamic in vehicles like cars and trucks. There
are few steps which can be used for improving the aerodynamics of the truck such as
enhancing truck rollover and stability, better weight distribution, decreasing spray and
splash, and reducing driver fatigue.

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Mainly, the CFD process is used by the industries for controlling and managing the
problem of fluid flows. Wang, et al., (2014) suggested that by using CFD analysis process
people can easily evaluate and flow and heat transfer throughout the design process of
the truck. It contains various steps and methods for analysing the shape and design of
the truck, for example, the flow model, proving the assumed model, model optimizing,
and so on.
This paper identified that without using numerical simulation it is very difficult to
reduce the issue of fluid flow and engineers cannot improve the shape of the truck. An
effective designing process and shape of the truck can reduce the rate of aerodynamic
drag and it also provides a way for maintaining the flow of air between the truck cab
and trailer. Form this paper, it has been concluded that the use of CFD analysis is one of
the best strategies that can control and manage the efficiency and performance of the
truck.
According to Yang, and Tang, (2012) the Ansys analysis is one of the other approaches
for modifying the design and shape of the truck that positively impact on the truck
aerodynamic. This paper focused on the Ansys analysis with their importance in the
improvement of aerodynamic and evaluated the complete process of Ansys software. It
is observed that the Ansys is a kind of computer software which is used by the
engineers for analysing the framework and design of the truck.
Such kind of tool can be used for changing and modifying the shape of the truck and
other transportation systems. The researcher also obtained that Ansys software has the
ability to solving the more complex structural problems and make a better design for
the trucks by which companies can reduce noise distortion and drag resistance. By
using such kind of tools industries can solve design related issues and they can
interconnect the other physical analysis tools with each other. the author conducted a
survey and evaluated that Ansys analysis software improved the aerodynamics of the
truck by 60% because it provides an effective and better design of the truck and also
focuses on the aerodynamic and fluid flow related issues.
Zhu, et al., (2012) highlighted that the Ansys analysis software is one of the best
approaches for improving the shape of the truck because it is more simple and easy to
understand. However, it has the potential to simulate the complex and difficult designs

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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on computer and engineers can implement the designing process through physical
devices. mainly, Ansys process uses the finite element analysis for structural analysis
which can be used for designing and implementing heavy good vehicles more
effectively. This paper discussed the challenges and issues faced by companies during
the development of the shape of the truck and also suggested some approaches for
maintaining aerodynamic of the truck and other transportation vehicles.
The main drawback of this software is that it cannot be used for identifying the key
factors that reduce aerodynamic of the truck and it is more complex for designing and
implementing the large size projects. In the last few years, there are numbers of studies
conducted for improving the aerodynamics of the truck and this paper added all
relevant information about the truck aerodynamic. From the previous investigation
about truck aerodynamic, it has been identified that wind tunnels and reduction of drag
resistance both are major two factors that impact on the performance of the truck.
According to Zhu, et al., (2012) maintaining the best interplay between the truck and
trailer is one of the common problems occurs in the designing and implementing of the
truck structure. Such kind of problem occurs due to lack of aerodynamic and the use of
less efficient systems due to which the rate of aerodynamic drag is also increased. It is
very important that engineers should design and implement a truck with rounded shape
because this strategy can reduce the fluid flow and provide better results in terms of
efficiency and performance.
The researcher also suggested that CFD and Ansys analysis both are very common tools
used by industries for controlling and managing aerodynamic of the truck. After
analysing this research study it has been identified that changing in the shape of the
truck is one of the effective approaches because it is very simple and easy which can be
done with the help of some computer and physical tools. However, the rate of
aerodynamic in the truck is completely based on the three key elements such as shape,
speed and front area of the truck body.
Yang and Tang, (2012) adopted and discussed the vorticity analysis model for
improving the aerodynamics of the truck and also provided some information about the
computational fluid dynamics. From this paper, it is observed that the term vorticity is a
type of process which describes the local spinning motion of continuum near some

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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points. The vortex generator has the potential to control and manage the drug
resistance and lift coefficients of the truck and recirculation analysis process provide a
path to engineers for analysing the key parameters of the truck aerodynamic.
The author also estimated that the issue of drag can be reduced by enhancing the rate of
back pressure which effectively increases aerodynamic of the vehicle. Yang and Tang,
(2012) discussed the fundamental concept of the velocity analysis and how this
technique is used in the truck aerodynamic for managing the drag related issues. The
velocity analysis of mechanisms can be performed with the help of velocity and
accelerations concept and it is used in the field of truck aerodynamic for determining
the velocity of the truck. From this study, it is found that the highest velocity of the truck
is around 78 m/sec which is more sufficient for reducing the issue of aerodynamic drag
and increasing the performance of the heavy good vehicle.
Recent investigation about the truck aerodynamic concluded that the process of
computational fluid dynamics can be done by dividing the physical models into
numbers of finite elements. By solving the numerical equation can describe the nature
of flow and it also maintains the issue of fluid flow in the vehicles. In this paper, the
researcher completed the designing process for the truck by using CFD analysis with
different levels of speeds such as 15 m/s, 20 m/s, and 25 m/sec. in which the author
conducted the practical designing process for the truck and reduced the gap between
the truck cab and trailer.
Moreover, the investigator also modified the shape and design of the truck using CFD
analysis tools and improved aerodynamics of the truck. This paper also identified that
value of drag force by using the density of air, frontal surface of the truck, and velocity
of incoming air. According to Salati, et al., (2018) the power needed for reducing the
issue of drag can be determined by a formula that is P= (Fd*V)*W. Where Fd is drag
force, V is the velocity of air, and W is the density of diesel.
For enhancing aerodynamic of the truck by modifying the shape of the truck is the very
best approach but it is very important to maintain the gap between the truck and trailer.
Salati, et al., (2018) provided their views on the truck aerodynamic and evaluated the
impact of the tractor-trailer gap in the reduction of the truck aerodynamic. According to
this research article, one of the drag issue with the larger gap is that air moves into the

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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tractor-trailer gap and hits the front surface of the body due to which the problem of
pressure drag also increases.
The problem of pressure drag increase with increasing the gap between the tractor and
trailer and it is also associated with the lesser performance and efficiency of the truck. It
is estimated that at the time of crosswind situation more air enters between the cab and
body of the truck which impacts on the aerodynamics of the truck. However, the
researcher concluded that the larger tractor-trailer gap also affects the stability and
drag of the truck and it can be reduced by modifying the shape of the truck and reducing
this gap in modern trucks. However, there is some speculation that modifications that
reduce aerodynamic drag overall without the adaptability given by a pneumatic blowing
system – could increase stress on braking systems by reducing the contribution of drag
to slowing down the vehicle, which could have safety implications.
There are also concerns associated with certain aerodynamic improvements that
increase the length of the trailer, such as boat-tails. These extensions at the rear of the
vehicle can imperil other vehicles in the case of rear-end collision or if they swing into
other lanes of traffic. Some aerodynamic technologies can also be damaged during
normal operations. For example, cab side extenders, or other devices designed to
reduce the gap between the tractor and trailer, can be crushed or distorted if the tractor
turns at too sharp an angle in relation to the trailer. The rolling resistance created by
truck and trailer tires in contact with the roadway surface accounts for almost 13% of
truck energy use for typical U.S. Freight-trucks.
Given their greater weight, Chinese freight trucks likely use an even greater percentage
of total energy to overcome rolling resistance. Most of this energy is lost as heat created
in the side wall of the tire as it deforms and recovers while rolling under the weight of
the vehicle. Amid sensible conditions and driving conditions, the truck is exposed to
cross-twists from a few distinctive headings. To get drag esteem that relates to the
normal of the diverse cross-winds, a weighted incentive from a few distinctive yaw
points is determined amid wind-burrow tests led by Volvo. Notwithstanding, amid CFD-
re-enactments, just two yaw edges are utilized to spare time
According to Salati, et al., (2018) there are few techniques and approaches which can be
used for modifying the shape of the older trucks such as roof fairings, side fairing,

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF A TRUCK
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aerodynamic side mirrors, and air dam and vortex generators. In which, the roof
fairings change the shape of the truck and transfer the air smoothly over the top of the
truck and side fairing improve the shape of the body in order to increase the
aerodynamic and reduce the gap between the truck and trailer as much as possible. The
aerodynamic side mirror can help individuals for decreasing the issue of drag with the
help of rear views mirror that stick out from the truck. The vortex plates are added to
the rear surface of the trucks which are designed for maintaining the flow of air in the
truck and trailer. All these are alternative techniques for improving the aerodynamics of
the truck and companies can increase the performance and efficiency of the trucks by
adopting such kind of processes.
Conclusion
This report is completely based on the aerodynamics of the truck and students can
enhance their experience in the field of truck aerodynamic. From the above discussion,
it has been concluded that the aerodynamics of the truck can be increased by changing
the shape of the truck and modifying the design of the truck using CFD analysis. The
report highlighted the importance of the shape of the truck in the improvement of
aerodynamic. The literature reviewed provided an in-depth analysis of the research
topic and added all key findings and results obtained by the other researchers.
Moreover, the researcher also reduced the drawbacks and limitations of previous
investigations by providing an alternating technique for improving the aerodynamics of
the truck.

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