The aerodynamic forces on trailers and containers on flatcars have been measured in wind tunnel tests. The forces were measured on the central car of a five-car train consisting of a locomotive, three flatcars with various loadings and a boxcar. Tests were made over a range of yaw angles and with different loadings. Standard trailers, containers and flatcars were tested as well as a variety of modifications designed to improve the aerodynamic performance. In addition to the railroad-car tests, a series of blocks simulating containers and trailer bodies were tested to determine the effect of gap spacing, corner radius, and surface roughness. The flatcars loaded with containers were found to have about forty percent less drag than when loaded with trailers. The research reported is intended to increase the knowledge base in understanding the aerodynamic drag component of trail resistance.
Aerodynamic Forces on Freight Trains. Volume I. Wind Tunnel Tests of Containers and Trailers on Flatcars
1976
150 pages
Report
No indication
English