Moving Train External Airflow CFD Simulation, ANSYS Fluent Training

Description

In this project, the airflow around a train is investigated and airflow parameters were extracted by ANSYS Fluent software. Due to the high speed of the train and the speed of airflow, phenomena such as separations or vortexes occur behind the train.

Advanced moving train aerodynamic design is an effective factor in reducing energy consumption. This reduction is possible when the drag force, exerted from the fluid is decreased. Therefore, aerodynamics plays an important role in the design of trains or any moving object that is exposed to airflow.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations have reduced the cost of building trains and locomotives, and have made it possible to check the efficiency of the new design before construction.

Train Methodology

This project aims to investigate turbulence flow around the train. The geometry of this project consists of a modeled train, and the fluid domain. The geometry is designed and meshed inside GAMBIT®. The mesh type used for this geometry is unstructured and the element number is 1013277.

Train Conclusion

Contours were obtained at the end of the simulation. The pressure contour shows that the pressure initially has its maximum value on the front surface. However, with a slight distance from the wall, the aerodynamic suction pressure has increased while increasing the speed.

Also, the thickness of the boundary layer at the back of the train indicates that the flow’s turbulence has increased, which is due to the separation phenomenon behind the train. Due to the train’s movement and its exposure to airflow, the drag force enters the train body in the opposite direction of the flow.

In general, using methods to reduce vehicle drag can help control energy wastage. This video taught you how to simulate a train’s movement and draw the contours.