Influence of Wind Barriers with Different Curvatures on Crosswind Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Train-Bridge System

Abstract

Wind barriers can effectively reduce the risk of overturning and derailment of high-speed trains running on a bridge under crosswind. However, it can adversely affect the wind resistance of the bridge. There are few studies on the aerodynamic performance of curved wind barriers. In this paper, the effects of curved wind barriers with four curvatures (0, 0.2, 0.35, and 0.50) and different train-bridge combinations on the crosswind aerodynamic characteristics of a train-bridge system are investigated. The results show that the curved wind barrier can significantly reduce the wind speed below a certain height on the bridge deck. The curved wind barrier with small curvature can better reduce the aerodynamic force of the train; however, it greatly increases the aerodynamic force of the bridge. A wind barrier with a curvature of 0.35 is recommended because it takes into account the aerodynamic characteristics of the train and bridge at the same time. The porosity of a wind barrier greatly influences the aerodynamic performance of the train on the track of the windward side of the bridge, while the wind barrier has little effects on the train on the track of the leeward side of the bridge. The aerodynamic performance of the train on the track of the windward side of the bridge is less affected by whether or not a train on the track of the leeward side of the bridge is present.

Effects of wind barriers on the aerodynamic characteristics of twin-separated parallel decks for a long-span rail-cum-road bridge

“…For the vertical fence-type wind barriers, Wei et al (2022) investigated the aerodynamic characteristics of a train–bridge system of curved and vertical fence-type wind barriers, and the results show that, compared with the vertical wind barrier, the curved wind barrier can reduce the drag force and moment of a train while reducing the impact of the aerodynamic forces on a bridge. In addition, Lou et al (2022) studied the effects of curved wind barriers with four curvatures (0, 0.2, 0.35, and 0.50) and different train-bridge combinations on the crosswind aerodynamic characteristics of a train-bridge system, and the wind barrier with a curvature of 0.35 is recommended. The wind barrier can not only be used to prevent the wind to ensure the stability of the train, but also can be combined with the sound barrier to play a variety of roles such as noise reduction and pressure relief.…”

Unsteady Aerodynamic Characteristics of a High-Speed Train Induced by the Sudden Change of Windbreak Wall Structure: A Case Study of the Xinjiang Railway

“…Windbreak walls are built to protect the running safety of trains under crosswinds due to their low cost and their effectiveness [24,25]. Uniform and regular windbreaks result in a significant improvement in train safety in general; however, when the windbreak is built on varying terrain, windbreak transitions (WTs) occur along the railway.…”