The aerodynamics of trains passing through wind barriers with different forms of damage under crosswind conditions

Abstract The aerodynamic safety of trains may be greatly threatened when encountering wind barriers with unexpected damage under strong wind conditions. A validated numerical method was utilized to explore the aerodynamic impact of various forms of wind barrier damage on the aerodynamic performance of a travelling train. The relationships between the aerodynamic parameters and the varying damage forms and wind conditions were investigated. Results indicate that bilateral damage has a more pronounced aerodynamic impact on both the train and wind barrier compared to unilateral damage, posing a greater risk to the operational safety of the train. While the damage length has minimal impact on aerodynamic loads on the wind barrier, it significantly affects the train. Specifically, the maximum peaks and amplitudes of the side force and overturning moment of the train head exhibit an upward trend as the damage length increases, followed by a decrease once the damage length surpasses the length of the train, which was determined as the most unfavourable length of damage. Furthermore, the peaks and amplitudes of the train aerodynamic forces show a linear increase with the wind speed, while the maximum pressure peak and amplitude on the wind barrier also rise at an escalating rate.