A simple calculation method for estimating the flow velocity on the roof of a train running through a tunnel using an unsteady incompressible flow model

Abstract

Predicting the aerodynamic phenomena in a train-tunnel system is important for increasing the speed of railway trains. Among these phenomena, many studies have focused on the effects of pressure; however, only a few studies have examined the effects of flow velocity. When designing train roof equipment such as a pantograph and an aerodynamic braking unit, it is necessary to estimate the flow velocity while considering the influence of the boundary layer developed on the train roof. Until now, numerical simulations using a one-dimensional model have been utilized to predict the flow velocity around a train traveling through a tunnel; however, the influence of the boundary layer cannot be taken into consideration in these simulations. For this purpose, the authors have previously proposed a simple calculation method based on a steady incompressible tunnel flow model that can take into account the influence of the boundary layer, but this method could not incorporate the unsteadiness of the flow velocity. Therefore, in this study, the authors extend the previous simple calculation method such that it can be used for an unsteady incompressible tunnel flow. The authors compare the calculation results obtained from the extended method with the results of a model experiment and a field test to confirm its effectiveness.