Numerical Simulation of Shark Fin Vortex Generator Placement with Staggered Arrangement on The Left and Right Walls of a Passenger Bus

Abstract In this study, the impact of using Shark Fin Vortex Generators (SFVG) on the aerodynamics of passenger buses is evaluated through numerical analysis. The analysis shows that at a speed of 120 km/h, buses equipped with SFVG record higher total force values, specifically 3624, 3564, and 3514 for variations of x/l 85, x/l 90, and x/l 95 respectively, compared to other speed and x/l variations. The drag coefficient (CD) for buses with SFVG is 0.775, 0.744, and 0.738 for x/l 85, 0.748, 0.736, and 0.728 for x/l 90, and 0.695, 0.684, and 0.676 for x/l 95. These values indicate that SFVG can slightly reduce drag by improving airflow and reducing turbulence. However, the obtained lift coefficient (CL) values show a decrease as speed and the distance of the vortex generator increase, with lower CL values at higher speeds. This study indicates that SFVG has the potential to increase speed and reduce drag but may also increase lift, affecting vehicle stability. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of SFVG on the overall energy efficiency and aerodynamic performance of buses.