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Satran, Dale R.

Publications and source records attributed to Satran, Dale R..

3 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

A Summary of the Experimental Results for a Generic Tractor-Trailer in the Ames Research Center 7- by 10-Foot and 12-Foot Wind Tunnels

Experimental measurements of a generic tractor-trailer were obtained in two wind tunnels at Ames Research Center. After a preliminary study at atmospheric conditions in the 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel, additional testing was conducted at Reynolds numbers corresponding to full-scale highway speeds in the 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel. To facilitate computational modeling, the 1:8-scale geometry, designated the Generic Conventional Model, included a simplified underbody and omitted many small-scale details. The measurements included overall and component forces and moments, static and dynamic surface pressures, and three-component particle image velocimetry. This summary report highlights the effects of numerous drag reduction concepts and provides details of the model installation in both wind tunnels. To provide a basis for comparison, the wind-averaged drag coefficient was tabulated for all configurations tested. Relative to the baseline configuration representative of a modern class-8 tractor-trailer, the most effective concepts were the trailer base flaps and trailer belly box providing a drag-coefficient reduction of 0.0855 and 0.0494, respectively. Trailer side skirts were less effective yielding a drag reduction of 0.0260. The database of this experimental effort is publicly available for further analysis.

Storms, Bruce L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

NASA's CFD Validation Program

With computational fluid dynamics (CFD) becoming a productive research and design tool, the requirement to validate CFD codes has grown significantly. NASA had emphasized CFD validation activities since 1986 when a separate work element was formed to fund experimental activities related to validation. NASA's CFD and CFD validation programs are closely coordinated to ensure that experimental data bases are available as soon as possible for validating codes. In response to industry and academic requirements, four levels of experimental research have been defined as part of CFD validation with NASA's Aeronautics Advisory Committee (AAC) support although only the fourth level actually has the detailed information necessary for validating codes. Critical flow physics especially turbulence modeling are key to improved CFD codes. NASA has focused additional resources on transition and turbulence physics to meet these requirements. With improved turbulence models, CFD codes will be more accurate, robust, and efficient. However, with the level of detailed information available from CFD codes, highly accurate and detailed experiments are required to capture the critical information for validating codes. Advanced instrumentation especially non-intrusive instrumentation is required to acquire this information in validation experiments. The CFD validation program is being coordinated and managed to address these critical activities. A list of experiments which are currently being supported at least partially are included.

Satran, Dale R.↗