Numerical study of the impact of windblown sand particles on a high-speed train

• A numerical approach to assess particle impacts on high-speed trains was developed.
• External routines extended the Discrete Phase Model of ANSYS Fluent.
• Different particle diameters, loads and coefficients of restitution were tested.
• The distribution of impacts in the leading vehicle was predicted.
• A logarithmic curve correlates drag force and particle size.

This study develops an approach to evaluate the effect of particle impacts on the motion of high-speed trains in a sand-laden flow. For this purpose, external routines were implemented to extend the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) of the commercial simulation code ANSYS Fluent. Although the aerodynamics is an established concern in the design of high-speed trains, relatively few studies investigate the response of trains to demanding environments such as deserts. Several of the derived problems include potential effects on the aerodynamic performance or the wear of materials. Simulations with different values for the particle diameter, particle load and coefficient of restitution were performed. The analysis of the leading vehicle shows a greater impact probability on the train nose with small impact angles and high velocities on the sides, leading to a more pronounced wear of the surface. A logarithmic dependency of the drag coefficient with the particle diameter was also revealed, and a force reduction of 10% for each 0.2 decrease in the coefficient of restitution was noted. The results of the simulations confirm the feasibility of the presented methodology.

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