Simulation of aerodynamic impact of a high-speed train on a shell-type protective tunnel

   The article presents the research of the loading regime of a membrane shell of an above-ground tunnel under the aerodynamic impact of a high-speed train. The authors solve the coupled problem of aerodynamics and deformable solid mechanics numerically by the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the finite element method. Moreover, it is established that the governing loading parameters are the tunnel length and the relative
air gap, which controls the intensity of the piston effect. The maximum impact is produced by an alternatingsign pressure pulse in the region of the head nose cone; the tail zone is characterised by the developed turbulence and jet-separation flows. By the comparative analysis of smooth and corrugated shells, as well as a reinforced frame, the authors identify a structural solution combining aerodynamic efficiency and resistance to lateral loads. The service life under cyclic loading is assessed using the Palmgren-Miner damage accumulation rule and fatigue curves.

   The scientific novelty consists in a unified computational methodology integrating aerodynamic modeling, stress-strain analysis and fatigue assessment as applied to above-ground shell-type tunnels.

   The results are intended for optimizing geometric parameters and improving the durability of protective structures.

1. Vorobyev A. A., Karimov D. D., Sotnikov K. A., Bogdanov N. V. Management of aerodynamic interaction of high-speed train with elements of tunnel-type artificial structures. Transport of the Russian Federation. 2024;1(110):62–68. EDN: ZYNJHE. (In Russ.).

2. Kim K. K., Kron I. R., Vatulin Ya. S., Vatulina E. Ya. The development of the method on the reduction of aerodynamic drag of the pipeline transport capsule. Proceedings of Petersburg Transport University. 2019;16(2):263–267. doi: 10.20295/1815-588X-2019-2-263-267. EDN: OYZZHC. (In Russ.).

3. Novák J. Single train passing through a tunnel. European Conference on Computational Fluid Dynamics (ECCOMAS CFD 2006). Netherlands, 2006. 12 p.

4. Sterling M., Baker C. J., Jordon S. C., Johnson T. A study of the slipstreams of high-speed passenger trains and freight trains. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 2008;222(2):177–193. doi: 10.1243/0954409-7jrrt133.

5. Martínez A., Vega E., Gaite J., Meseguer J. Pressure measurements on real high-speed trains travelling through tunnels. BBAA VI International Colloquium on: Bluff Bodies Aerodynamics & Applications. Milano, 2008. 11 p.

6. Ledyaev A. P., Kavkazskiy V. N., Kreer R. O. Specifics of tunnel design on high-speed lines. Transport of the Urals. 2015;4(47):3–9. doi: 10.20291/1815-9400-2015-4-3-9. EDN: TBIORT. (In Russ.).

7. Alyamovskiy A. A. SolidWorks Simulation. Inzhenernyy analiz dlya professionalov: zadachi, metody, rekomendatsii. Moscow, 2015. 564 p. ISBN 978-5-97060-140-2. (In Russ.).

8. Lediaev A. P., Kavkazskiy V. N., Shelgunov O. O. Mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes in railway tunnels on high-speed highways. Metro i Tonneli. 2021;3:40–43. EDN: GCQUMA. (In Russ.).

9. Alferova E. L., Lugin I. V., Kiyanitsa L. A. Simulation of airflow disturbances to movement of trains in double-track tunnel underground. Gornyy Informatsionno-Analiticheskiy Byulleten’. 2016;6:5–14. EDN: WDZUHH. (In Russ.).

10. Karimov D. D. U. Upravleniye aerouprugim vzaimodeystviyem podvizhnogo sostava s elementami iskusstvennykh sooruzheniy tonnel’nogo tipa. Saint Petersburg, 2023. 134 p. EDN: HJBFFN. (In Russ.).

11. Vorobyov A. A., Vataev A. S., Vatulin J. S. [et al.]. Evaluation of the dynamics of high-speed rolling stock. Transport Technician: Education and Practice. 2024;5(4):437–444. doi: 10.46684/2687-1033.2024.4.437-444. EDN: SLVLDK. (In Russ.).

12. Khayrullina A., Blocken B., Janssen W., Straathof J. CFD simulation of train aerodynamics: train-induced wind conditions at an underground railroad passenger platform. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 2015;139:100–110. doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2015.01.019.

13. Polyakova E. Ya. Osobennosti aerodinamiki podvagonnogo prostranstva vysokoskorostnogo podvizhnogo sostava. Saint Petersburg, 2021. 150 p. (In Russ.).

14. Sladkova L. A., Neklyudov A. N. Dynamics of the Rolling Stock and the Choice of Parameters of Vibration Dampers. World of Transport and Transportation. 2021;19(4):13–20. doi: 10.30932/1992-3252-2021-19-4-2. EDN: JYOTRB. (In Russ.).

15. Mengge Yu., Rongchao J., Qian Z. [et al.]. Crosswind Stability Evaluation of High-Speed Train Using Different Wind Models. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering. 2019;32:40. doi: 10.1186/s10033-019-0353-7.

16. Baker C. J. Keynote lecture — The flow around high speed trains. Proceedings of the BBAA VI Conference. Milano, 2008. Р. 34.

17. Baker C. The flow around high speed trains. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 2010;98(6):277–298. doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2009.11.002.

18. Vorob’yev A. A., Vatulin Ya. S., Vatayev A. S. [et al.]. Upravleniye aerouprugim vzaimodeystviyem podvizhnogo sostava s elementami transportnoy infrastruktury. Kazan, 2025. 138 p. ISBN 978-5-00254-143-0. EDN: JNVEHB. (In Russ.).