Large-Eddy Simulation of the Flow Around a Simplified High Speed Train Under the Influence of a Cross-Wind

Paper in proceeding, 2005

Large-eddy simulation (LES) was made to solve the flow around a simplified high speed train under the influence of a cross-wind. The Reynolds number of the flow was Re = 3 x 105 based the height of the train and the incoming air velocity. The results are obtained at a yaw angle (the angle between the relative side wind direction and the train cruising direction) of 90°. Both the instantaneous and the time-averaged flows are explored. Comparison of the LES flow patterns and aerodynamic forces with experimental data was reported. It was found that the LES predicted the flow in agreement with experimental observations. Aerodynamic forces are computed and their time histories are used to find the characteristic frequencies of the flow motion around the body. The results reveal that the dominated flow motion is very small and approaches the resonance frequency of trains.