Road Loads

Chapter 4 Road Loads

n
n
n
n

Density of Air,

Drag Coefficient, C D
DA =

1
V 2CD A
2

Aerodynamic drag (in X direction)

Aerodynamic lift (in Z direction)
Tire rolling resistance
Road gradient (hills)

Eqn. 4-2

Frontal area
of vehicle
Density of Vehicle Drag
air
velocity coefficient

Drag force

Air pressure

519 o F
Pr

= 0 .00236
o
29 .92 inHg 460 F + Tr

lbf sec2

4
ft

Air temperature
Eqn. 4-4

= 1 .202

kg
m3

(Bosch Automotive Handbook, p. 339)

Frontal Area of Vehicle, A

Typical Frontal Areas

Vehicle

For passenger cars,

A ~ 0.9 * Height * Track
(Bosch Automotive
Handbook, p. 338)

Height

Track

GM 1-Ton full size van

Frontal Area
3.35 m

2
2

Ford Minivan
Chrysler Minivan

3.25 m
2
2.97 m

Typical U.S. Sedan

5 passenger Volvo ECC
1991 Honda Civic DX

2.30 m
2
2.01 m
2
1.80 m

GM Experimental Ultralite
Renault VESTA II

1.71 m
2
1.64 m

36.0 ft

2
2

35.0 ft
2
32.0 ft
2

24.7 ft
2
21.6 ft
2
19.4 ft
2

18.4 ft
2
17.6 ft

From: http://www.partnumber.com/ev/handbook/aerodynamics.html

Drag Coefficient, C D

Figure 4.20

Typical Drag Coefficients

Drag Coefficients Cd for a range of Vehicles
Average 1975 U.S. Estate Wagon
0.60
Average 1979 U.S. Car
0.48
GM 1-Ton full size van
0.47
Average 1987 U.S. Car
0.37
Average 1992 U.S. Car
0.33
Chrysler T-115 1990 Minivan
0.32
1986 Subaru XT Coupe
0.31
Best 1993 U.S. Sedan
0.29
General Motors Electric Impact
0.19
GM Sunraycer Solar Car
0.13
From: http://www.partnumber.com/ev/handbook/aerodynamics.html

Drag Power

Example Problem #1
Drag force, lbf
Velocity, ft/sec

PD = D A V

1hp
ft
PD = (lbf )

sec 550 ft lbf

sec2

D V
= A hp
550

Estimate the drag force and the drag

power required on a GM Electric
Impact vehicle at

60 mph (97 kph)

What is the equation when DA in lbf, V in mph and PD in hp?

What is the equation when DA in N, V in kph and PD in kW?

Example Problem #2
n

Aerodynamic Lift and Drag

Estimate the drag force and the drag

power required on my 96 Ranger at

30 mph (48 kph)

60 mph (97 kph)
75 mph (120 kph)

Other Aerodynamic Effects