Effect of Streamlined Nose Length on the Aerodynamic Performance of a 800 km/h Evacuated Tube Train

The aerodynamic resistance of a train running in the open air limits the maximum speed that can be attained by the train. For this reason, evacuated tube trains (ETT) are being considered as valid alternatives to be implemented in the future. The atmosphere in the tube, the so-called blocking ratio and the length of the streamlined nose are the key factors affecting the aerodynamic performances of these trains. In the present work, we investigate evacuated tube trains with different lengths of the streamline nose on the basis of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The three-dimensional steady compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved. The running speed of the ETT is 800 km/h and the blocking ratio is 0.2. Results show that with the increase of the streamlined nose length, the aerodynamic drag and lift forces of the head car decrease gradually, and the drag and lift forces of the middle car change slightly. For the tail car, the drag force decreases, whereas the absolute value of the lift force increases. At a speed of 800 km/h, a slight shock wave appears at the rear of the tail car, which affects the aerodynamic forces acting on the train.