Impact of the train heights on the aerodynamic behaviour of a high-speed train

Kaiwen Wang; Xiaohui Xiong; Chihyung Wen; Xiaobai Li; Guang Chen; Zhengwei Chen; Mingzan Tang

doi:10.1080/19942060.2023.2233614

Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics (Dec 2023)

Impact of the train heights on the aerodynamic behaviour of a high-speed train

Kaiwen Wang,
Xiaohui Xiong,
Chihyung Wen,
Xiaobai Li,
Guang Chen,
Zhengwei Chen,
Mingzan Tang

Affiliations

Kaiwen Wang: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
Xiaohui Xiong: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
Chihyung Wen: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, Kowloon, People’s Republic of China
Xiaobai Li: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
Guang Chen: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
Zhengwei Chen: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kowloon, People’s Republic of China
Mingzan Tang: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track (Central South University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, People’s Republic of China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2023.2233614
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 1

Abstract

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The impact of train heights on train aerodynamic performance is studied by using an improved delayed detached-eddy simulation (IDDES) method. The correctness of the numerical method has been verified by the existing wind tunnel and moving model experiments data. The aerodynamic drag, lift, slipstream, and wake flow are compared for three train heights. The results presented that the drag and lift increased by 6.2% and 23.8% respectively, with an increase in train height from 3.89 m to 4.19 m. Compared with the 3.89 m case, the maximum time-averaged slipstream at the platform location for 4.04 and 4.19 m cases are increased by 2.0% and 4.3% respectively. Meanwhile, the wake topology for three cases is described and analyzed quantitatively. The downwash angle of the wake longitudinal flow is increased with the increasing train height, resulting in the mixing of the downwash flow and the ground flow in advance. The wake in the higher trains tends to develop outward and downward. Besides, the higher trains will also bring greater transient aerodynamic loads to the equipment above the train. It’s recommended to shorten the maintenance period of the electrical equipment above the higher trains to ensure the devices’ safety.Abbreviations: CFL: Courant–Friedrichs-Lewy; COT: Center of the track; FDR: Flow development region; FFT: Fast Fourier transform; GF: Ground-fixed reference system; ICE3: Intercity Express 3; IDDES: Improved delayed detached-eddy simulation; LES: Large-eddy simulation; LV: Longitudinal vortex; MME: Moving model experiments; NBL: Negative bifurcation line; PBL: Positive bifurcation line; PSD: Power spectral density; RANS: Reynolds averaged Navier – Stokes; SF: Stable focus; SP: Saddle point; STBR: Single-track ballast and rails; SV: Spanwise vortex; TF: Train-fixed reference system; TOR: Top of the track; TSI: Technical specification for interoperability; UN: Unstable node; WPR: Wake propagation region

Published in Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics

ISSN: 1994-2060 (Print); 1997-003X (Online)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/tcfm

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