Aerodynamic Effects of Viaduct-Cutting Connection Section on High-Speed Railway by Wind Tunnel Tests

Abstract

The wind environment and aerodynamic characteristics of vehicles are easily affected by the structural form of the railway. To investigate the aerodynamic effects of viaduct-cutting connection sections on vehicles, models of standard cutting, viaduct, and China Railway Highspeed (CRH2) trains at a scale of 1:20 were tested in wind tunnel tests. The wind speed profiles and vehicle aerodynamic coefficients were developed using a Cobra probe and balance, respectively. Additionally, the effects of wind barriers were applied. The test results indicate that the wind speed profile at the railway juncture is almost independent of the lateral positions at the same position. The aerodynamic influence of vehicles on different tracks (windward and leeward railway tracks) is different. Moreover, wind barriers can change both wind speed profiles and aerodynamic coefficients and significantly reduces wind speed and changes the aerodynamic coefficients to improve vehicle wind-resistant performance.