Similar articles

Abstract: Currently, the design of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev trains adopts a u-shaped track operation mode, and the height of the side track significantly impacts the train’s aerodynamic characteristics. In this study, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods, based on the 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method and shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model, to deeply investigate the effects of the presence or absence of a u-shaped track and different side track heights (800, 880, and 960 mm) on the pressure distribution, velocity distribution, and flow field structure of HTS maglev trains at a speed of 400 km/h under crosswinds. The numerical methods were verified using a scaled ICE-2 model wind tunnel test. First, the aerodynamic characteristics of the train under different wind direction angles with and without side tracks were studied. We found that the aerodynamic performance of the train is the most adverse when the wind direction angle is 90°. The presence of a u-shaped track can effectively reduce the lateral force, lift, and yawing moment of the train. The aerodynamic performance of the first suspension bogie at the bottom, which is the worst, will also be effectively improved. Next, the aerodynamic effects of different side track heights on the HTS maglev train were studied. An increase in side track height will reduce the lift and lateral force of the train, while the increase in drag is relatively small. Under the premise of ensuring passengers can conveniently alight, we found that a u-shaped track with a side track height of 960 mm has the best aerodynamic performance. The research findings offer a valuable reference for the engineering application and design of the track structure of HTS maglev train systems.

侧轨高度对横风条件下高温超导高速磁悬浮列车气动特性的影响

[1]BakerCJ, 2014. A review of train aerodynamics. Part 1–fundamentals. The Aeronautical Journal, 118(1201):201-228.

[2]BakerCJ, JonesJ, Lopez-CallejaF, et al., 2004. Measurements of the cross wind forces on trains. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 92(7-8):547-563.

[3]ChenZW, LiuTH, YanCG, et al., 2019. Numerical simulation and comparison of the slipstreams of trains with different nose lengths under crosswind. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 190:256-272.

[4]DengZG, WangL, LiHT, et al., 2021. Dynamic studies of the HTS maglev transit system. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 31(5):3600805.

[5]DengZG, ZhangWH, WangL, et al., 2022. A high-speed runn

[6]ing test platform for high-temperature superconducting maglev. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 32(4):3600905.

[7]DorigattiF, SterlingM, BakerCJ, et al., 2015. Crosswind effects on the stability of a model passenger train—a comparison of static and moving experiments. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 138:36-51.

[8]GaoHR, LiuTH, GuHY, et al., 2025. Effects of rail models on aerodynamic characteristics of trains in crosswinds at a large yaw angle. Mechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines, 53(3):2093-2115.

[9]GuoZJ, GuoZH, ChenZW, et al., 2024. On the active flow control in maglev train safety under crosswinds: analysis of leeward suction and blowing action. Physics of Fluids, 36(9):095130.

[10]HemidaH, KrajnovićS, 2009. Exploring flow structures around a simplified ICE2 train subjected to a 30° side wind using LES. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 3(1):28-41.

[11]HuX, DengZG, ZhangWH, 2021. Effect of cross passage on aerodynamic characteristics of super-high-speed evacuated tube transportation. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 211:104562.

[12]HuX, DengZG, ZhangJW, et al., 2022. Aerodynamic behaviors in supersonic evacuated tube transportation with different train nose lengths. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 183:122130.

[13]HuangH, LiHT, CoombsT, et al., 2024. Advancements in dynamic characteristics analysis of superconducting electrodynamic suspension systems: modeling, experiment, and optimization. Superconductivity, 11:100114.

[14]HuangZD, ZhouZB, ChangN, et al., 2024. Aerodynamic features of high-speed maglev trains with different marshaling lengths running on a viaduct under crosswinds. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, 140(1):975-996.

[15]LiXZ, QiuXW, ZhengJ, et al., 2023. Aerodynamic characteristics of fully enclosed sound barrier induced by the passing trains with 400 km/h. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 241:105518.

[16]LiZP, WangXF, DingY, et al., 2023. Study on the dynamics characteristics of HTS maglev train considering the aerodynamic loads under crosswinds. Sustainability, 15(23):16511.

[17]LiangHB, ZouYF, ZhangYL, et al., 2024. Effects of combined-type wind barriers on the aerodynamic characteristics of train–bridge system for a long-span suspension bridge. Physics of Fluids, 36(8):083608.

[18]LuoJJ, WangL, ShangSY, et al., 2023. Study of unsteady aerodynamic performance of a high-speed train entering a double-track tunnel under crosswind conditions. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 118:103836.

[19]MengS, ZhouD, MengS, 2020. Effect of rail gap on aerodynamic performance of maglev train. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 51(12):3537-3545 (in Chinese).

[20]NetoJ, MontenegroPA, ValeC, et al., 2021. Evaluation of the train running safety under crosswinds–a numerical study on the influence of the wind speed and orientation considering the normative Chinese Hat Model. International Journal of Rail Transportation, 9(3):204-231.

[21]NiuJQ, ZhouD, LiangXF, 2018. Numerical investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed trains of different lengths under crosswind with or without windbreaks. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 12(1):195-215.

[22]NiuJQ, WangYM, LiuF, 2020. Numerical study on the effect of damaged windows on aerodynamic characteristics of passenger trains under strong crosswind. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 234(15):2994-3003.

[23]PengYY, ZhaoCF, WangSD, et al., 2023. Mechanical behaviors of the U-girder for urban maglev transit under temperature loads and train loads. Journal of Vibration and Control, 30(21-22):4888-4902.

[24]SuzukiM, TanemotoK, MaedaT, 2001. Aerodynamic characteristics of train/vehicles under cross winds. Journal of Wind Engineering, 89:505-508.

[25]TianHQ, 2019. Review of research on high-speed railway aerodynamics in China. Transportation Safety and Environment, 1(1):1-21.

[26]WangF, GuoZH, ShiZL, et al., 2023. A study of crosswind characteristics on aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains on embankment. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Mechanical Engineering, 47(2):417-431.

[27]WangS, LiHT, WangL, et al., 2021. Suspension parameters optimization of HTS maglev under random vibration. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 31(8):3603704.

[28]WangXF, HuX, WangJK, et al., 2022. Safety analysis of high temperature superconducting maglev train considering the aerodynamic loads under crosswinds. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 237(10):2279-2290.

[29]XuB, LiuTH, ShiX, et al., 2024. Mitigation of crosswind effects on high-speed trains using vortex generators. Physics of Fluids, 36(7):075199.

[30]YanL, LiJL, HeXH, et al., 2025. Ride comfort assessment of road vehicles on a long-span truss girder suspension bridge under crosswinds. Engineering Structures, 322:119112.

[31]YangB, XiongXH, HeZ, et al., 2022. Feasibility of replacing the 3-coach with a 1.5-coach grouping train model in wind tunnel experiment at different yaw angles. Journal of Central South University, 29(6):2062-2073.

[32]YangYG, 2023. The Aerodynamic Performances of the High-Speed Maglev Train in the Open Air and the Local Optimization of the Train Head. PhD Thesis, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, China (in Chinese).

[33]ZhangDQ, IshiharaT, 2024. A comparative study on the crosswind stability of the railway vehicle considering distinct national standards. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 254:105901.

[34]ZhangGW, ZhuJM, LiY, et al., 2022. Simulation of the braking effects of permanent magnet eddy current brake and its effects on levitation characteristics of HTS maglev vehicles. Actuators, 11(10):295.

[35]ZhangJ, AdamuA, SuXC, et al., 2022. Effect of simplifying bogie regions on aerodynamic performance of high-speed train. Journal of Central South University, 29(5):1717-1734.

[36]ZhangQY, ZhouSQ, XuG, et al., 2024. Integrated CFD and MBD methods for dynamic performance analysis of a high-speed train transitioning through varied windbreak corridor designs. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 250:105755.

[37]ZhangWH, ShenZY, ZengJ, 2013. Study on dynamics of coupled systems in high-speed trains. Vehicle System Dynamics, 51(7):966-1016.

[38]ZhaoL, YangWC, LiuYK, et al., 2024. Effects of windbreak types on aerodynamics of high-speed trains traversing from flat ground to semi-cutting and semi-embankment under crosswinds. Physics of Fluids, 36(7):075115.

[39]ZhouP, QinD, ZhangJY, et al., 2022. Aerodynamic characteristics of the evacuated tube maglev train considering the suspension gap. International Journal of Rail Transportation, 10(2):195-215.

[40]ZhuFT, XieJW, LvDZ, et al., 2024. Transient aerodynamic behavior of a high-speed maglev train in plate braking under crosswind. Physics of Fluids, 36(3):035133.