CFD Analysis of Flow Over Pickup Truck with And Without Covering Cargo Area Using OpenFOAM

Abstract

Pickup truck serves purpose as car as well as small truck. Pickup truck is popularly used in USA and Saudi Arabia. Pickup truck consists of enclosed cab and an open cargo space. Here CFD analysis of full scale pickup truck is performed using free CFD software OpenFOAM for speed range from 40km/hr to 140km/hr. For turbulence modelling k-ω model is used. This work investigates effect of covering cargo area on aerodynamics drag. Covering cargo area decreases drag coefficient by 5.2% by horizontally covering cargo area whereas decreases by 13% by inclined surface covering cargo area. Thus, covering cargo area reduces drag coefficient as recirculation zone is reduced. Inclined cover case shows drastic rise in lift force, requiring attention for safety as traction will be affected.