Prediction of the compression pressure wave generated by a high-speed train entering a tunnel

Abstract

The pressure history of the compression acoustic wave generated by a high-speed train tunnel entry is calculated in a finite element flow analysis. The generation of the pressure wave and its propagation into the tunnel is numerically simulated. To obtain an accurate prediction of the pressure gradient, a three-dimensional compressible transient finite element flow analysis with arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) formulation is performed on a multi-domain parallel iterative solver. Also an alternative approximation method of predicting the pressure wave shape based on “v-wall” method is developed. The result of the numerical simulation is compared with that of the 1/50th-scale experimental test.

Keywords:

• ALE
• Compressible flows
• Railroad transportation
• Sliding mesh
• Train tunnel entry
• Wave propagation

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Professor T. J. R. Hughes and his team in ex-Centric Engineering Systems, Inc. for their providing SPECTRUM™ Solver and adding a special feature needed for our work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tetsuro Sato