Wake Flow Characteristics over an Articulated Lorry Model with/without AC-DBD Plasma Actuation

Abstract

The wake flow characteristics of a 1:20 scale articulated lorry model with a linear Alternate Current Dielectric Barrier Discharge (AC-DBD) plasma actuation implemented was experimentally investigated. Time-averaged velocity, turbulence, and vorticity information along the centreline of the model were constructed using a two-component particle image velocimetry technique. In addition, force balance was used to measure the time-average drag force acting on the model with and without the use of AC-DBD plasma actuation. In general, the AC-DBD plasma actuation showed negligible effect in changing the drag coefficient of the test model. Moreover, implementing the AC-DBD plasma actuation around the rear end of the trailer model could neither alter the size nor the reverse flow velocity in the wake region. In contrast, the AC-DBD plasma actuation increased the levels of fluctuation in the flow turbulence kinetic energy and vorticity but showed no observable effect to alter the frequency response of the flow in the wake region. It is deduced that the use of AC-DBD plasma actuation indeed generated no flow control effect at the rear end of an articulated lorry trailer.

Icing Mitigation by MEMS-Fabricated Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge

“…Whereas the related topic of plasma actuators (PA) for flow control applications is widely studied [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], there is recently a growing interest in the study of surface dielectric barrier discharges (SDBDs) as an anti-icing and de-icing system [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Probably Meng et al [24] and Cai Jinsheng et al [21] were the first who reported experimental results indicating that SDBDs can work as an anti/de-icing system.…”

Characteristics of the Wind Environment above Bridge Deck near the Pylon Zone and Wind Barrier Arrangement Criteria

“…A large number of studies have shown that a sudden change in wind speed near the bridge pylon is unfavorable for driving stability [18], and countermeasures have been explored for improving the wind environment at the bridge deck and ensuring driving safety [19,20]. Wind barriers, as an effective countermeasure, have had increasing attention from scholars [21][22][23]. Alonso-Estebanez et al [24] numerically studied and compared the aerodynamic coefficients of a truck on an embankment both with and without the wind fences installed.…”