Unsteady aerodynamic load characteristics of outer windshields of high-speed train in strong crosswind

As trains accumulate more service time, the external windshield becomes susceptible to deformation, cracking, and other malfunctions under harsh operational conditions, posing a threat to operational safety. To analyze the displacement, stress and variations in aerodynamic excitation of the external windshield in adverse environments, numerical simulation methods were employed based on the theory of fluid-structure interaction vibration. The aerodynamic performance and fluid-structure coupling characteristics of the external windshield of high-speed trains operating at speeds of 250 km/h in different crosswind conditions were analyzed. The results show that the external windshield at various positions on the train experiences the maximum displacement and stress in the leeward wake region, with these effects increasing with crosswind speed. Regarding aerodynamic force frequency, the main frequencies of the aerodynamic forces on the external windshield are relatively concentrated, showing small fluctuations around a fixed value at different positions. Considering both displacement and aerodynamic excitation, there is a good correspondence in the overall trend, with the displacement response slightly lagging behind the aerodynamic excitation. © 2024 Central South University of Technology. All rights reserved.