Detached Eddy Simulations of a Simplified Tractor-Trailer Geometry

Abstract

This thesis presents a comparison of the results from the Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence model used for modeling flow over a {1/8}$^{th}$ scale simplified model of a tractor-trailer geometry (or the Ground Transportation System) with the experimental data. The main aim of this study is to assess the DES model for validation purpose. From the results it is concluded that the DES model gives very good agreement with the experimental data for the global quantities like drag but does not predict the details of the wake structure correctly. The reason for the inaccuracy in the prediction may be originating from the lack of knowledge about the transfer of information between the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes region (where the turbulence is modeled) and the Large Eddy Simulation region (where the turbulence is simulated).