Aerodynamic characteristics of a 600 km/h high-temperature superconducting maglev train running in open air considering different suspension gaps

Abstract

The suspension gap is a critical operational parameter for high-speed maglev trains and significantly impacts their aerodynamic performance. Based on an engineering prototype of the high-temperature superconducting (HTS) pinning maglev train, this study established a detailed three-dimensional model, and then the aerodynamic characteristics of the HTS maglev train at 600 km/h with suspension gaps of 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm were simulated based on the improved delayed detached eddy simulation (IDDES) turbulence model and SST k-ω two-equation. The results demonstrated that the underbody design of the HTS maglev train leads to unique aerodynamic drag and aerothermal distribution phenomena. The head car experiences the smallest drag, while the tail car experiences the largest. The aerothermal temperature on the train’s bottom surface progressively increases from the head to the tail. Additionally, the U-shaped track significantly constrains the flow around the train body, forming strong vortex structures. As the suspension gap increases from 10 mm to 30 mm, the airflow velocity in the train-track gap rises, reducing the underbody pressure and decreasing the lift of the head car by 12.43%. The drag of the head car increases by 10.98%, primarily due to changes in pressure drag. Additionally, the temperature at the underbody of the tail car rises further due to significant airflow deceleration. These findings provide valuable insights for advancing the engineering design and application of the high-speed HTS maglev technology.

Keywords

high-speed maglev train / high-temperature superconducting / aerodynamic characteristics / suspension gap / computational fluid dynamics

References

[1] Deng Z-g, Liu Z-x, Li H-tet al.. Development status and prospect of maglev train [J]. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 2022, 57(3): 455-474(in Chinese)

[2] Wang H-Y, Mai R-k. Research on damping system of high speed superconducting maglev train [M], 2024 in Chinese)

[3] Dong F-l, Hao L-n, Park Det al.. On the future sustainable ultra-high-speed maglev: An energy-economical superconducting linear thrusting system [J]. Energy Conversion and Management, 2023, 291: 117247

[4] Ono M, Koga S, Ohtsuki H. Japan’s superconducting maglev train [J]. IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine, 2002, 5(1): 9-15

[5] Feng Y, Zhao C-f, Peng Y-yet al.. Influence of levitation bogie structure aerodynamic loads on the dynamic performance of 600 km/h EMS maglev train [J]. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2025, 261: 106070

[6] Li T, Wang M-q, Qin Y-xet al.. Distributed virtual simulation experimental software for high-power electric traction system of 600 km/h high-speed maglev train [J]. Advances in Engineering Software, 2024, 192: 103627

[7] Chen X-h, Ma W-h, Luo S-h. Study on stability and bifurcation of electromagnet-track beam coupling system for EMS maglev vehicle [J]. Nonlinear Dynamics, 2020, 101(4): 2181-2193

[8] Huang H, Li H-t, Coombs Tet al.. Advancements in dynamic characteristics analysis of superconducting electrodynamic suspension systems: Modeling, experiment, and optimization [J]. Superconductivity, 2024, 11: 100114

[9] Sawada K. Outlook of the superconducting maglev [J]. Proceedings of the IEEE, 2009, 97(11): 1881-1885

[10] Li H-t, Deng Z-g, Huang Het al.. Theoretical optimization and experimental verification of a non-contact damper for high temperature superconducting maglev systems [J]. Journal of Vibration and Control, 2022, 28(56): 606-614

[11] Wang S-y, Wang J-s, Wang X-ret al.. The man-loading high-temperature superconducting maglev test vehicle [J]. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2003, 13(2): 2134-2137

[12] Wang J-s, Wang S-y, Zeng Y-wet al.. The first man-loading high temperature superconducting maglev test vehicle in the world [J]. Physica C: Superconductivity, 2002, 378–381: 809-814

[13] Hong Y, Huang Z-c, Wang Z-het al.. Enhancing dynamic stability of HTS maglev systems with preloading method [J]. Cryogenics, 2024, 143: 103945

[14] Tian H-qi. Study evolvement of train aerodynamics in China [J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2006, 6(1): 1-9(in Chinese)

[15] Tian X-f, Xiang H-y, Hu Het al.. Lateral dynamic analysis of two maglev trains passing each other subject to train-induced wind effect [J]. Wind and Structures, 2025, 40(2): 125-137

[16] Yang Y-g, Mei Y-g. Numerical simulation of unsteady aerodynamic performance of 600 km·h⁻¹ high-speed maglev train running on open line [J]. China Railway Science, 2022, 43(6): 106-118(in Chinese)

[17] Ding S-s, Liu J-l, Chen D-w. Aerodynamic design of the 600 km/h high-speed maglev transportation system [J]. Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, 2023, 37(1): 1-8(in Chinese)

[18] Ding S-s, Yao S-b, Chen D-w. Aerodynamic lift force of high-speed maglev train [J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2020, 56(8): 228-234 in Chinese)

[19] Zhou P, Li T, Zhao C-fet al.. Numerical study on the flow field characteristics of the new high-speed maglev train in open air [J]. Journal of Zhejiang University: Science A, 2020, 21(5): 366-381

[20] Meng S, Zhou D, Meng S. Effect of rail gap on aerodynamic performance of maglev train [J]. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 2020, 51(12): 3537-3545(in Chinese)

[21] Li R-x, Liu Y-q, Zhai W-m. Numerical analysis of aerodynamic force in longitudinal and vertical direction for high-speed maglev train [J]. China Railway Science, 2004, 25(1): 8-12(in Chinese)

[22] Seino H, Miyamoto S. Long-term durability and special running tests on the yamanashi maglev test line [J]. Quarterly Report of RTRI, 2006, 47(1): 1-5

[23] Zhao C-f, Li Y-h, Peng Y-yet al.. Aerodynamic characteristics of the open air of superconducting maglev train and its influence on the levitation state [J]. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 2025, 60(4): 793-802(in Chinese)

[24] Lin T-t, Yang M-z, Zhang Let al.. Influence of the suspension gap on the wake characteristics of a 600 km/h superconducting maglev train [J]. Physics of Fluids, 2024, 36(2): 026121

[25] Li Y-f, Li T, Zhang J-yet al.. Effect of deflector devices on the aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed maglev trains [J]. Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, 2023, 37191-99(in Chinese)

[26] Wang X-f, Hu X, Li Z-pet al.. The effect of track structure on the aerodynamic characteristics of evacuated tube maglev train [J]. Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, 2023, 37(3): 9-18 in Chinese)

[27] Sun Z X, Wang M Y, Wei L Yet al.. Aerodynamic shape ptimization of an urban maglev train [J]. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 2021, 37(6): 954-969

[28] Zhu T-h, Cheng G-d, Zhang X-yet al.. Aerodynamic scaling of a maglev train: Unsteady flow structures and aerodynamic loads [J]. Physics of Fluids, 2025, 37(7): 075156

[29] Zhang J, Guo B-j, Wang Y-get al.. Influence of arch lattice-shell hood length on micro-pressure waves at portal of a high-speed maglev tunnel [J]. Physics of Fluids, 2024, 369096105

[30] Lin T-t, Yang M-z, Zhang Let al.. Effect of typical arch structure on slipstream and wake flow of 600 km/h maglev train [J]. International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, 2024, 3472748-2765

[31] CEN EN14067-6. Railway applications-aerodynamics Part-6: Requirements and test procedures for crosswind assessment [S], 2010

[32] Hu X, Deng Z-g, Zhang J-wet al.. Effect of tracks on the flow and heat transfer of supersonic evacuated tube maglev transportation [J]. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2021, 107: 103413

[33] Xia C, Wang H-f, Shan X-zet al.. Effects of ground configurations on the slipstream and near wake of a high-speed train [J]. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2017, 168: 177-189

[34] Tan C-d, Zhou D, Chen Get al.. Influences of marshalling length on the flow structure of a maglev train [J]. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 2020, 85: 108604

[35] Spalart P R. Detached-eddy simulation [J]. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 2009, 41: 181-202

[36] Pope S B. A perspective on turbulence modeling [M]. Modeling Complex Turbulent Flows, 1999, Dordrecht, Springer Netherlands5367

[37] Bell J R, Burton D, Thompson M Cet al.. Flow topology and unsteady features of the wake of a generic highspeed train [J]. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2016, 61: 168-183

[38] Bell J R, Burton D, Thompson M Cet al.. Dynamics of trailing vortices in the wake of a generic high-speed train [J]. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2016, 65: 238-256

[39] Hu X, Wan Y-c, Mei Y-get al.. Wake dynamics and three-dimensional shock wave morphology in an evacuated tube transportation system under choked flow via proper orthogonal decomposition with domain partitioning [J]. Physics of Fluids, 2025, 374046126

[40] Li Z-p, Wang X-f, Ma T-het al.. Numerical investigation of aerodynamic features and flow structure of a high-speed high-temperature superconducting maglev train under crosswind based on reduced-order methods [J]. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2025, 137: 104367

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University