NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THE CROSSWIND INFLUENCE ON VEHICLE AERODYNAMICS IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

This study presents an efficient numerical model for evaluating the impact of crosswinds on vehicle aerodynamics using ANSYS Fluid Flow. It offers valuable insights into the qualitative behavior of vehicles under typical highway traffic conditions. The analysis explores airflow distribution when a car overtakes a truck at approximately 100 km/h, considering weak, moderate, and strong lateral winds. A detailed examination of the overtaking phases, with vehicles positioned in three distinct configurations, reveals significant aerodynamic interactions. These interactions influence vehicle handling and stability, as reflected in variations in velocity and pressure distributions, increased drag coefficients for the truck under stronger lateral winds, and significant fluctuations in the car’s drag coefficients based on its position relative to the truck. Additionally, Reynolds numbers indicate a transition to turbulent flow. This paper provides an in-depth analysis and discussion of these findings.