Flow control for a simplified truck using an array of streamwise synthetic jets

Paper in proceeding, 2018

LES simulations at Re = 1 × 10^5 and wind tunnel experiments at Re = 5 × 10^5 were conducted
to investigate the beneficial effect of an active flow control (AFC) technique on the aerodynamic performance of a
simplified truck geometry. The paper involves the investigation of a synthetic jet actuator characterized by periodic
blowing and suction that defines a zero net mass flux flow control mechanism. The actuation aims to suppress the
flow separation occurring at the A-pillar (front rounded corner) of a truck cabin. The work flow is defined as follow.
First, LES at low Reynolds number are conducted for different disposition of the actuation slots. The results show
a beneficial effect when the actuation slots are positioned in streamwise direction compared to spanwise (vertical)
direction. Second, based on the previous considerations, wind tunnel experiments are conducted to verify and
support the numerical findings. Both numerical solutions and experimental data show the same trend and the
superiority of streamwise aligned AFC slots.