Full-scale tests of unsteady aerodynamic loads and pressure distribution on fast trains in crosswinds

• Published in: Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation 2021-12, Vol.186, p.110152, Article 110152
• Main Authors: Gao, Hongrui, Liu, Tanghong, Gu, Houyu, Jiang, Zhiwei, Huo, Xiaoshuai, Xia, Yutao, Chen, Zhengwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerodynamic coefficients; Aerodynamic load coefficients; Aerodynamic loads; Aerodynamics; Coefficient of variation; Crosswinds; Full scale tests; Pressure; Pressure distribution; Rolling moments; Trains; Turbulence intensity; Unsteady aerodynamics; Velocity; Wind effects; Wind power; Wind speed; Yaw
• ISSN: 0263-2241; 1873-412X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.110152

•Full-scale tests were carried out on a fast streamlined train in crosswinds.•Aerodynamic loads were obtained by discrete integration of pressure differences.•Means and fluctuations of aerodynamic loads were obtained by data processing.•Fluctuations of aerodynamic coefficients are due to oscillations of wind speed.•Dominant frequencies of aerodynamic coefficients are at Strouhal numbers of 0–0.4. Unsteady aerodynamic loads have a significant influence on the running safety of a train in crosswinds. Full-scale tests were carried out to measure the pressure on a fast streamlined train in crosswinds, and the unsteady aerodynamic loads were obtained by the discrete integration of the pressure to assess the influence of different crosswinds on the loads. The maximum wind speed was 34.0 m/s in the full-scale tests, and the maximum turbulence intensity was 0.202. The means and fluctuations of the side force coefficient, lift coefficient, and rolling moment coefficient around the lee rail at different yaw angles were studied. The means first increased and then decreased with the increase in the yaw angle, and the maximum values occurred in the range of 54.5°–59.6°. The coefficients of variation of the aerodynamic load coefficients were approximately twice the turbulence intensity, which indicated that the fluctuations of the aerodynamic load coefficients were due to the oscillations of the wind speed. For the frequency characteristics of the aerodynamic load coefficients, the most dominant frequencies were at Strouhal numbers of 0–0.4.