Influence of Posture Change on Train Running Safety under Crosswind

Abstract

High-speed trains serving in a crosswind region are bearing more significant safety risks. Based on the three-dimensional (3D) Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) turbulence model, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computational work was conducted in the present study to predict the transient aerodynamic load of the train. The transient aerodynamic load was then employed as the input of the dynamic system to perform a dynamic analysis of running safety. Noticeable changes in the aerodynamic coefficients were found when the train entered and left the crosswind region due to the dramatic change in flow patterns. The original posture also provided significant changes to the train’s aerodynamic responses. A slightly larger maximum derailment coefficient was found on the first bogie of the leading car with a preset posture. There were obvious differences in the displacement characteristics of the three cars in the lateral direction and the rolling rotation, and the magnitude of the posture changes decreased from the leading car to the trailing car. The train with the consideration of posture was proven to withstand weaker crosswinds.