Wind Tunnel Calibration Methodology for Measuring Aerodynamic Loads on Operational High-Speed Trains

Abstract

A reduced-scale wind-tunnel experimental methodology is presented that provides calibration and insight for measurements on an operational high-speed train; the Deutsche Bahn advanced TrainLab. A 5-hole dynamic pressure probe mounted at the train’s front is used to determine the incoming flow magnitude and direction. A 1:10 scale wind-tunnel experiment was performed to determine probe corrections to remove inflow disturbances induced by the train head. A 1:25 scale wind-tunnel experiment was performed to determine drag, side-force and lift polars for the first carriage. The corrected probe measurements and force calibration provide quasi-steady force estimations under real-world operation. Furthermore, the surface pressure was measured around the circumference at three positions along the length of the first carriage as well as on the coupler cover of the models for additional insight into the causal flow physics and potential for surface-pressure measurements on operational high-speed trains in the future.