New geometrical configurations of the afterbodies of both axisymmetric and cylindrical bluff bodies that are elongated in the free-stream direction are proposed for the control of the aerodynamic loads. Special attention is dedi-cated to the mean aerodynamic drag, considering its importance for the reduction of the fuel consumption of terrestrial vehicles; however, the varia-tions of the cross-flow forces on the lateral surfaces, which may be of interest in different applications, are also considered. Steady-flow numerical simula-tions, carried out by means of a RANS code, seem to suggest that the new geometries have the potential of delaying the global separation of the bound-ary layer, and thus of reducing the afterbody drag and changing the value and position of the resultant cross-flow force. A research program to study in greater detail the potential advantages and the limits of the new configura-tions for different practical applications is also delineated.
Stepped boat-tails: a proposal for the control of the aerodynamic loads on bluff bodies
BURESTI, GUIDO;
2007-01-01
Abstract
New geometrical configurations of the afterbodies of both axisymmetric and cylindrical bluff bodies that are elongated in the free-stream direction are proposed for the control of the aerodynamic loads. Special attention is dedi-cated to the mean aerodynamic drag, considering its importance for the reduction of the fuel consumption of terrestrial vehicles; however, the varia-tions of the cross-flow forces on the lateral surfaces, which may be of interest in different applications, are also considered. Steady-flow numerical simula-tions, carried out by means of a RANS code, seem to suggest that the new geometries have the potential of delaying the global separation of the bound-ary layer, and thus of reducing the afterbody drag and changing the value and position of the resultant cross-flow force. A research program to study in greater detail the potential advantages and the limits of the new configura-tions for different practical applications is also delineated.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
