Numerical Simulation of Aerodynamic Pressure on Sound Barriers from High-Speed Trains with Different Nose Lengths

Abstract

For high-speed railway sound barriers, determining the aerodynamic pressure generated by high-speed trains is crucial for their structural design. This paper investigates the distribution of aerodynamic pressure on the sound barrier caused by high-speed trains with different nose lengths, utilizing the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation method. The accuracy of the numerical simulation method employed is verified through comparison with field test results from the literature. Research findings reveal that when a high-speed train passes through a sound barrier, significant “head wave” and “wake wave” effects occur, with the pressure peak of the “head wave” being notably greater than that of the “wake wave”. As the distance between the sound barrier and the center of the train gradually increases, the aerodynamic pressure on the sound barrier gradually decreases. The nose length of the train has a considerable impact on the aerodynamic pressure exerted on the sound barrier. The streamlined shape of longer-nose trains can significantly reduce the aerodynamic effects on the sound barrier, resulting in a notably smaller pressure peak compared to shorter-nose trains. Finally, by establishing the relationship between the train nose length and the aerodynamic pressure peak, a calculation formula for the train-induced aerodynamic pressure acting on the sound barrier is proposed, taking into account the nose length of the high-speed train.