The TRAIN (Transient Railway Aerodynamics INvestigation) Rig is a highly versatile moving model rig that can be used for a wide variety of aerodynamic investigations.
The rig has been used in the past for a range of different types of test:
- Tunnel pressure transients for a variety of types of train
- Aerodynamic design of train noses
- Pressure pulses around trains in the open air
- Ventilation flows in cross passages
- Train slipstream behaviour
- Determination of pressure loss coefficients and friction factors for trains
Some of this work is described in the following papers:
- T Johnson, J Holding, “Better understanding of high speed train slipstream velocities” (PDF 661K)
- P. Da Costa, A. Willaime, A. Evangelou T. Johnson, N. Paradot “Model rig measurements for SNCF new tunnel portal designs” (PDF 1.26MB)
- T Johnson, S Dalley “1/25 Scale Moving Model Tests for the TRANSAERO Project” (PDF 484K)
- T Johnson, G Figura-Hardy (2008) “Comparison of full-scale and model-scale slipstream velocities”, World Congress on Rail Research Abstract (PDF 41.9K)
- T Johnson “Measurements of the effect on pressures of a porous tunnel entrance using a moving model rig” (PDF 184K)
- C J Baker, S J Dalley, T Johnson, A Quinn, N G Wright )2001) `"The slipstream and wake of a high speed train", Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers F Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 215, 83-99
Current work on the rig includes:
- AEROTRAIN WP3.4 – the measurement of crosswind forces on moving vehicles
- AEROTRAIN WP4.2 - the measurement of tunnel entrance pressure gradients
- RSSB Project T750 - Review of Euronorm design requirements for trackside and overhead structures subjected to transient aerodynamic loads; Phase 2 - GB design rules: experimental model testing
Links and contact
For further information please contact Professor Chris Baker on c.j.baker@bham.ac.uk