Fuel costs have a significant impact on profitability for businesses that own and operate trucks and trailers. Maximizing the benefit from every gallon of gas is an ongoing concern for everyone, from independent drivers to fleet operators. It’s also a bit of an uphill battle. The cost of fuel has its peaks and valleys, but the overall trend is upward.
Growing environmental concerns and the global push for reducing fuel waste also affect stakeholders’ desires to maximize fuel efficiency. Consequently, many companies today are developing innovative ideas in this area.
One unassuming material you might not expect to see at the forefront of truck and trailer fuel efficiency is corrugated metal. To be sure, it’s not a recent innovation. However, its characteristics are causing stakeholders to take a fresh look and, in many cases, upgrade their trucks and trailers with corrugated metal.
Traditionally associated with warehouses and industrial buildings, corrugated metal has found a new purpose in the transportation industry. Being lightweight, aerodynamic, and extremely durable makes it an ideal choice for truck and trailer bodies, significantly contributing to enhanced fuel efficiency and offering a range of additional benefits that are revolutionizing how trucks and trailers are designed and built.
THE PHYSICS OF FUEL EFFICIENCY AND THE ROLE OF AERODYNAMICS
Before diving into the specific advantages of corrugated metal, it’s crucial to understand some of the fundamental principles of fuel efficiency. In essence, fuel efficiency is a measure of how far a vehicle can travel on a given amount of fuel. Several factors influence this figure, including engine design, vehicle weight, rolling resistance from tires, and crucially, aerodynamics.
Aerodynamics is the study of how gas, particularly air, interacts with moving objects. It’s a critical field for vehicles like trucks and trailers, as how air flows around them significantly affects their performance. Aerodynamics focuses on minimizing air resistance, or drag, to provide benefits like improved fuel economy. By streamlining shapes and optimizing airflow, engineers can create vehicles that move through the air more efficiently.
You’ve probably seen TV commercials featuring luxury cars in wind tunnels with vapor streaming smoothly over and past them. If those pulsing white lines were visible for trucks and trailers on roadways, it would be easier to see the positive impact of corrugated metal siding!
Aerodynamics plays a pivotal role in fuel efficiency, especially at highway speeds where the majority of long-haul trucking occurs. As a vehicle moves through the air and encounters resistance, that drag force opposes the vehicle’s motion, requiring additional energy (meaning fuel) to maintain its speed. The greater the drag, the lower the fuel efficiency.
If you’ve ever tried to walk into a strong wind, you understand the concept. A short trek can leave you surprisingly tired and depleted of energy!
The design of a truck or trailer significantly impacts its aerodynamic drag. Factors such as the size and shape of the front end (which is often blunt and boxy in traditional designs), the presence of gaps and protrusions (such as mirrors and door handles), and even the design of the undercarriage all contribute to drag. By optimizing these design elements, engineers can reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.
CORRUGATED METAL: A MULTIFACETED SOLUTION FOR AERODYNAMIC CHALLENGES
While corrugated metal siding’s contribution to truck and trailer fuel efficiency may surprise some, it makes sense when you consider some of its essential characteristics. Corrugated metal is:
- Lightweight: Compared to traditional materials like steel or aluminum, corrugated metal is significantly lighter. This weight reduction translates directly to improved fuel efficiency, as the vehicle requires less energy to accelerate and maintain speed. A lighter truck also places less stress on its tires, reducing rolling resistance and improving fuel economy.
- Aerodynamic: Corrugated metal comes in various profiles. Those used for truck and trailer siding typically have a series of ridges and valleys that help to channel airflow over and around the vehicle, minimizing turbulence and reducing drag.
- Customizable: Corrugated metal can be easily formed and shaped to fit the specific contours of a truck or trailer body, allowing for greater design flexibility and optimization of aerodynamic performance. This adaptability is crucial in the trucking industry, where a wide variety of vehicle configurations exist, from dry vans and refrigerated trailers (reefers) to flatbeds and tankers.
- Enhanced Airflow Management: Strategic placement of corrugated metal panels can create specific airflow patterns that further reduce drag. For example, placing corrugated panels on a trailer’s rear doors can help to smooth out the airflow as it leaves the vehicle, minimizing turbulence and drag. Additionally, corrugated panels can be used to create structures like fairings and skirts that deflect airflow around the trailer’s undercarriage, further reducing drag.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF CORRUGATED METAL SIDING
Beyond its fuel-saving and aerodynamic properties, corrugated metal siding offers several additional benefits that make it an attractive choice for the transportation industry:
- Cost-Effectiveness: The long-term cost savings from improved fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance, and longer lifespan can produce a favorable return on investment (ROI) with corrugated metal. Additionally, the lightweight nature of corrugated metal can also lead to reduced fuel costs for transporting new trucks and trailers to the purchaser.
- Sustainability: Corrugated metal is a highly recyclable material, aligning with the growing emphasis on sustainability in the transportation sector. At the end of its useful life, the metal can be easily recycled and repurposed, reducing waste and conserving virgin resources.
- Durability and Longevity: Corrugated metal is exceptionally durable, resisting dents, scratches, and corrosion. This durability translates to a longer lifespan for the vehicle, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. The longevity of corrugated metal can contribute to significant cost savings over the lifetime of a truck or trailer.
- Business Reputation: Improved truck/trailer durability and the resulting improvements in sustainability can both contribute to people having a more positive opinion of a company. In today’s competitive business environment, that edge can be all it takes to impress a decision-maker and close a new deal.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND FUEL EFFICIENCY
While electric vehicles (EVs) may be a greener alternative to gas-powered vehicles due to their lack of direct emissions, energy efficiency remains a crucial factor in their overall environmental impact and performance. Just as with traditional vehicles, maximizing energy efficiency in EVs through the use of corrugated metal translates to several benefits, including:
- Extended Range: A more energy-efficient EV can travel farther on a single charge, alleviating range concerns and making it more viable for long-distance travel. This is especially important as charging infrastructure continues to expand and EVs become a more mainstream option.
- Reduced Electricity Demand: By using energy more efficiently, EVs can help reduce the strain on the electrical grid, especially during peak demand periods. This is crucial for grid stability and can help lower consumer electricity costs.
- Lower Environmental Impact: Even though EVs don’t produce tailpipe emissions, the electricity they consume often comes from power plants that may still rely on fossil fuels. By increasing energy efficiency, EVs can help reduce the overall demand for electricity generation, thereby lowering their indirect carbon footprint.
- Improved Performance: Energy-efficient EVs often achieve better acceleration and overall performance due to optimized powertrain components and reduced weight. This can enhance the driving experience.
So, even as trucks’ power source shifts from fossil fuels to electricity, the focus on energy efficiency will remain, as will the benefits of corrugated metal siding for trucks and trailers.
REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
The use of corrugated metal siding for improved fuel efficiency is already significantly impacting the transportation industry. Major trucking companies, for example, are enjoying substantial fuel savings after upgrading to corrugated metal bodies for their fleets.
However, corrugated metal has transportation applications beyond trucks and trailers. Train, recreational vehicle, and agricultural equipment manufacturers (to name just a few transportation stakeholders) leverage its positive attributes to create strong yet lightweight vehicles and trailers.
As fuel prices continue to be a major concern for the transportation industry and environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, experts expect the demand for fuel-efficient solutions to continue growing. This need, coupled with ongoing research and development in materials science and aerodynamics, suggests a bright future for corrugated metal siding in the trucking industry.
Researchers and manufacturers are continually exploring new ways to optimize the design and application of corrugated metal for even greater aerodynamic efficiency. This includes experimenting with different corrugation patterns, incorporating advanced coatings that reduce friction, and developing integrated aerodynamic features that work in conjunction with the corrugated surface.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “fuel efficiency” isn’t corrugated metal siding, you’re not alone! Few people who aren’t immersed in the field would know that a simple material often associated with agricultural or industrial settings is making its mark in transportation. However, corrugated metal siding has emerged as a game-changer in the trucking industry, offering a multifaceted solution for improving fuel efficiency, reducing operational costs, and promoting sustainability in new and upgraded trucks and trailers.
By harnessing the power of lightweight construction, aerodynamic design, and customization potential, businesses that operate trucks and haul trailers are finding they can save money while also contributing to a cleaner, more efficient transportation system. As the industry continues to innovate and evolve, corrugated metal siding is poised to play an even greater role in shaping the future of trucking and transportation.
Are you a decision-maker in the transportation industry? Is helping your company save money through improved fuel efficiency on your task list? If so, we encourage you to contact CMI today. Whether you have an immediate need for corrugated metal panels or simply want to understand your options for future projects, we’re happy to discuss your needs and how our products can meet them.