Experiment on Drag Force of Car Models Arranged in a Line

Abstract

The paper deals with the drag force acting on a car in a line of cars with an experiment using scale car models in a passing water tank. The drag force of a car model was measured and the velocity field around it was also measured by PIV. The drag force reduction on a car model in a line was confirmed, which was known as effects of a slipstream and a backslip. The velocity fields revealed the relationship of the vortex in the wake of the car model to the drag force. When the following car was in the wake of the leading car, the drag force of both the following and leading cars was reduced.