A NASA Engineer Discovered a World of Semi Truck Aerodynamics by Accident
7 days ago
- #NASA
- #truck-design
- #aerodynamics
- Edwin J. Saltzman, a NASA engineer, was inspired by the aerodynamic effects of semi trucks on his bicycle ride to work in 1973.
- Saltzman and his team modified a Ford van to study and reduce aerodynamic drag, starting with flat aluminum sheets and gradually rounding edges and sealing the underside.
- Modifications led to a 52% drag reduction from rounding front edges and an additional 7% from sealing the underside, improving fuel economy by 15-25% at highway speeds.
- Similar modifications on a semi truck reduced drag by over 50%, with further improvements from underbody fairings and a boat tail.
- NASA's research influenced modern truck design, leading to common features like aerodynamic fairings, rounded corners, and vortex generators.
- The project highlights NASA's broader impact beyond space exploration, applying aerospace engineering to improve ground vehicle efficiency.