Commercial Vehicle CFD
Improve the design and fuel efficiency of your tractor, trailer or add-on device through CFD.
Having decades of applied Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) experience, evaluating the aerodynamic performance of automotive vehicles and trucks, for brands like Honda and NASCAR, and being active members of a professional body that sets industry standards, puts us in a unique position to conduct CFD testing on trucks or aero devices ensuring they meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards.
Lower your R&D spend on physical prototypes with virtual prototypes, expand your capabilities to assess drag, speed and fuel efficiency without the need to conduct as many expensive physical tests, and enhance efficiencies by automating workflows. Our solution TS Truck can assist with solving the most complex aerodynamic challenges.
Tap into one of our many services tailored for the semi-truck industry including:
CFD compliments or in many cases can replace the need for physical testing like wind tunnel or track testing.
R&D through wind tunnel testing can be costly and time consuming. Using CFD to improve designs during development is an efficient route to first prototypes for physical testing. Through our CFD consulting services we have helped many companies accelerate their design process – and we can do the same for you.
We can help in all areas of commercial vehicle design including:
- Tractor
- Trailer
- Aerodynamic Device
We have a strong background in wind tunnel and physical testing and can provide guidance on whether it is appropriate or needed relative to a specific design. Contact us to review your specific situation.
Regulatory Compliance
We provide certification testing for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas (TTGHG) Aero Device Approval program.
The TTGHG program requires the reduction of greenhouse gases on all heavy-duty tractors that pull 53-foot or longer box-type trailers on California highways with the use of aerodynamic devices or other methods to improve fuel efficiency and requires certification
Visit CARB TTGHG or view the Interim Approval Request Form for Aero Drag Reduction Technologies directly for more information about Aero Device Approval.
TotalSim’s work with SAE for the Trucking Industry
Our own Co-founder and Technical Director, Naethan Eagles, has helped shape the procedures the trucking industry has adopted. Naethan serves on three Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Committees which focus on everything from fuel economy to road vehicles to automated and connected commercial vehicles.
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Committees
- Truck and Bus Aerodynamics and Fuel Economy Committee (member since 2011)
- Road Vehicle Aerodynamics Forum Committee (member since 2015)
- Automated and Connected Commercial Vehicle Committee (member since 2017)
Taskforce membership (writing and updating standards)
- J2966 Taskforce member 2012-2013 “Guidelines for Aerodynamic Assessment of Medium and Heavy Commercial Ground Vehicles Using Computational Fluid Dynamics”
- J3015 Taskforce member 2013-2016 “Reynolds Number Scaling and Simulation Guidelines and Methods”
- J1252 Taskforce member 2017-2018 “SAE Wind Tunnel Test Procedure for Trucks and Buses”
- J3147 Taskforce member 2017-2019 “Evaluation Method Types”
- J3148 Taskforce member 2017-2019 “Operational Efficiency”
Conference Activity
- COMVEC 2011: Paper and presentation: 2011-01-2283 “Drag Reduction of a Modern Straight Truck” Author M Cragun
- COMVEC 2013: Paper and presentation: 2013-01-2415 “A Parametric Assessment of Skirt Performance on a Single Bogie Commercial Vehicle” Author N Eagles
- COMVEC 2014: Member of “Chat with Expert” Panel
- COMVEC 2016: Aero Plenary “Shedding Light on CFD”
Journal Publications
- (13CVA-0003 – A Parametric Assessment of Skirt Performance on a Single Bogie Commercial Vehicle) was been approved for publication in conjunction with session CVA200 – Commercial Vehicle Aerodynamics – Design and Evaluation Process
Whether you are at the design development stage or are seeking aero device approval, we can help. Complete this form to get started.
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