Drag Forces Experienced by 2, 3 and 4-Vehicle Platoons at Close Spacings
Date Published: 1995-02-01
Paper Number:950632
DOI: 10.4271/950632
Citation:
Zabat, M., Stabile, N., Frascaroli, S., and Browand, F., "Drag Forces Experienced by 2, 3 and 4-Vehicle Platoons at Close Spacings," SAE Technical Paper 950632, 1995, doi:10.4271/950632.
Author(s):
Michael Zabat - University of Southern California
Nick Stabile - University of Southern California
Stefano Frascaroli - University of Southern California
Fred Browand - University of Southern California
Abstract:
Drag measurements are made on each of the members of 2, 3 & 4-vehicle platoons. One-eighth scale vehicle models are used in a wind tunnel equipped with a suction surface ground plane for boundary layer control. Strong interaction between vehicles takes place for spacings less than one vehicle length, leading to drag values substantially lower than for an isolated vehicle. All vehicles in the platoon experience lower drag. The
average
drag coefficient for a 4-vehicle platoon at a nominal spacing of 0.2 vehicle lengths is just 56 percent of the drag of the vehicle in isolation. It is also concluded that little additional benefit is achieved by forming platoons longer than 6-7 vehicles. Finally, the 2-vehicle platoons are operated in different orientations-front-to-front, back-to-back and reversed-to provide an estimate for drag reduction sensitivity to vehicle shape.
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