Numerical study of a wind tunnel setup for measuring train slipstream with Detached Eddy Simulation

• Main Author: Dhanabalan, Yogeshwar
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: KTH, Fordonsdynamik 2013
• Subjects: Train Aerodynamics; Slipstream; Detached Eddy Simulation
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-121408

High speed trains have become an integral part of the transportation systems around the world. With increasing speed, very high velocities are generated in the region around the train known as slipstream. Experimental studies have been conducted over the last few decades to study the effect of these phenomena. Slipstream velocities have been measured using anemometers placed near real trains running on the tracks and model trains running on rigs like moving model rig and rotating rail rig. However, most of these studies are quite expensive to conduct. The purpose of this thesis is to find an alternative way to measure the slipstream. Detached Eddy Simulation is used to simulate the flow around a 1:15 scaled model of an ETR500 high speed train with different configurations similar to tests conducted on the track and in the wind tunnel. The results from the simulations are compared with the data obtained from experimental tests conducted on the Torino-Novara high speed line. A wind tunnel test is also carried out to validate the CFD data. It is concluded from the results that the wind tunnel setup with a slip floor in front of the train can be used to find out if the train produces slipstream velocities that are within the limits indicated by the TSI standards.