3-Dimensional numerical study on the critical orientation of the flooded passenger vehicles

Abstract

Vehicles are one of the most common objects that are usually washed away by the water flow during flood events resulting in several damages and casualties. Regardless of the vehicle type and flow condition, vehicle orientations in relation to the incoming flow play a significant role on the vehicles stability limits. Therefore, studying the hydrodynamic forces on a vehicle placed at different angles with respect to the incoming flow can help to understand the most unstable orientation. As a result, parking lots design may improve by rearranging the vehicles in a way that the critical vehicle orientation will not face the expected incoming flow. Herein, 3-dimensional numerical modelling was conducted to assess the critical orientation of a parked full-scale passenger vehicle exposed to water flow at three different angles, namely 0o, 45o, and 90o. The highest drag force and displacement were observed for the vehicle at 90o orientation making it the critical one. While the highest torque on the vehicle centre of mass was reported for the vehicle at 45o orientation, making it more rotatable when compared with other orientations. Obtained results were compared with previously published experimental studies and good agreements were observed.