The focus of this study was the influence of the length of a train on its aerodynamic performance, with and without wind break walls, under a crosswind. The improvement in the train's aerodynamic performance due to a wind break wall was also analyzed. Aerodynamic coefficients such as the drag force and lateral force were obtained for trains of different lengths using a numerical simulation. A delayed detached eddy simulation based on the shear-stress transport κ-ω turbulent model was used in Fluent 14.0 to simulate the unsteady aerodynamic performances of trains of different lengths under a crosswind. Through a comparison and analysis of the simulation results, the effects of the train length on the forces, pressure, and flow structure around the train were studied, along with the influence of a wind break wall on trains of different lengths. The results showed that the effects on the forces, pressure, and flow structure were focused in the region around the train tail. Furthermore, it was found that a wind break wall could improve the aerodynamic characteristics of a train under a crosswind, but amplified the influence of the train length on the aerodynamic performance of the train tail. These research results provide useful guidance for train operations under a crosswind.
ARTICLE HISTORY
In this study, based on the shear-stress transport-! turbulent model, the improved delayed detached eddy simulation method has been used to simulate the unsteady aerodynamic performance of trains with different obstacle deflectors at two yaw angles (0 and 15). The numerical algorithm is used and some of the numerical results are verified through wind tunnel tests. By comparing and analysing the obtained results, the effects of the obstacle deflectors on the force of the trains as well as the pressure and flow structure around the trains are elucidated. The results show that the obstacle deflectors primarily affect the flow field at the bottom of the head car as well as the wake flow, and that the internal oblique-type obstacle deflector (IOOD) markedly improves the aerodynamic performance of the trains, by decreasing most of the aerodynamic forces of the train cars and minimising their fluctuations. Further, a nonzero yaw angle weakens or even changes the effect of the IOOD on the aerodynamic forces of the train cars. However, the effect of the IOOD is more on the tail car.
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