Train Aerodynamics CFD Simulation in OpenFOAM®

Short Example of using OpenFOAM® CFD Toolbox for analyzing Train Aerodynamics

The Simulation Goal: to reduce the drag coefficient of the train unit

The drag coefficient is extremely important. Drag dramatically affects the consumption of the energy (fuel, electricity). Reducing the drag coefficient is never-ending challenge for engineers designing vehicles.

The Simulation Input: surface model of train unit

The train unit model is consisting of locomotive and three cars. The model is of real scale. It is 62 meters long, 4.6 meters high and 3.5 meters wide. The input is the CAD surface model of the train unit. The computational mesh is created in snappyHexMesh, an automatic OpenFOAM® tool for CFD meshing.

There were performed both steady-state CFD simulation and transient simulation.

The Simulation Input: surface model of train unit

Properties of Transient CFD Simulation

Drag Coefficient & Lift Coefficient

Whole TrainLocomotive Car 1Car 2Car 3
Cd1.07960.644212-0.01946170.0196390.454873
Cl0.1603870.0135685-0.03315840.006052970.179977

Please contact us for further information.