Aerodynamic characteristics on a full-scale high-speed train bogie with rotating wheelsets

Abstract

Aerodynamic drag is the dominant factor contributing to energy consumption as the operational speed of high-speed trains increases, necessitating effective aerodynamic optimization strategies. This study investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of the bogie region under two bogie fairing configurations: baseline bogie fairing (BBF) and full bogie fairing (FBF). Both stationary and rotating wheelset conditions are considered. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted on a full-scale bogie model equipped with a wheelset drive system to simulate wheelset rotation. Additionally, numerical simulations were employed to analyze flow structures. Results indicate that the FBF configuration promotes a more uniform front-to-rear pressure distribution in the bogie region. The rotation of the wheelset notably affects the airflow near the wheels and extends its influence throughout the entire bogie region. Specifically, wheelset rotation reduces drag by 6.38% in the BBF configuration but increases drag by 3.5% in the FBF configuration. Further analysis reveals that, in the FBF configuration, aerodynamic drag primarily originates from the wheelsets. The rotating wheelset increases the aerodynamic drag by 18.8% for the rear wheelset, which is attributed to the shift in the pressure curve on the wheelset in the rotating direction. Therefore, the impact of wheelset rotation on aerodynamic characteristics should not be overlooked.

Keywords

high-speed train / full-scale bogie / full bogie fairing / aerodynamics / rotating wheelsets

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Central South University