Abstract
KEYWORDS
railway aerodynamics, cross wind effect, RANS simulation, wind tunnel experiments
ABSTRACT
A intensive crosswind study has been carried out at SNCF, in order to assess the railway safety under strong winds. Concerning aerodynamics, SNCF investigated the sidewind sensitivity of double deck french high speed train TGV Duplex currently operating on the TGV Méditerranée line between Paris and Marseille, through both numerical computations and reduced scale tests in wind tunnels and a hydraulic tank. Comparisons between experimental and numerical side and lift forces and lee rail rolling moments acting on the TGV have been made. The objectives were the understanding of the flow around the train running on an embankment and the evaluation of the influence of atmospheric turbulence on wind induced forces and moments acting on the train running on flat ground. The leading vehicle experimental pressure distributions have also permitted further comparisons between CFD and tests results.