Numerical Investigation of Large Vehicle Aerodynamics Under the Influence of Crosswind

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical analysis aimed at estimating the impact of crosswinds on the aerodynamics of large vehicles using ANSYS Fluid Flow and Static Structural, offering insights into the qualitative behaviour of trucks under typical traffic conditions. The cases analysed focus on airflow distribution when a truck, traveling at approximately 100 km/h, passes under a portal while exposed to varying crosswind intensities: weak, moderate, and strong lateral winds. A detailed examination of the truck and portal reveals significant interactions between the induced airflow patterns, affecting truck handling and stability. This is evidenced by shifts in velocity and pressure distributions, changes in drag coefficients, and variations in turbulent kinetic energy, all of which are analysed and discussed in this study.