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Abstract

A considerable degree of driving discomfort can be experienced when driving 2 vehicle in the wake of others. This is especially true in either wet or dusty conditions when both forward and rearward vision becomes obscured. This thesis reports a wind tunnel investigation of the wake characteristics of typical road vehicles and a series of basic rectangular blocks, with and without camber. They are tested through a range of yaw while the influence of incidence on the blocks is studied. The use of static ground simulation is justified and the alternatives discussed. Prior to obtaining wake measurements the force characteristics of the various bodies in ground proximity are determined. Hot wire anemometer and pressure probes are used to derive velocity profiles, turbulence intensities, decay rates and periodic effects in the wake. Two distinct types of vortex wake are obtained, depending on whether the lift is generated by the influence of camber or incidence. Finally consideration is given to the problems created for the drivers of road vehicles by the wake and to ways in which these can be alleviated by design of the vehicle.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics T Technology > TE Highway engineering. Roads and pavements T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Department of Engineering School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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