CFD Analysis of Aerodynamic Drag Effects on Vacuum Tube Trains

Aerodynamic aspects of train shapes suitable for Vacuum Tube Train System are investigated in this paper. Three feasible geometries for the vacuum tube train system have been considered and modelled in three dimensions and have been computationally studied using the commercial software Ansys Fluent. Aerodynamic drag loads on these geometries have been calculated under different tube pressures and speeds of the train, which provide insight on various operating parameters that need to be considered while designing the vacuum tube train system. The present computational research shows that, the suitable vacuum pressure, and different shapes of head and tail of the train have significantly effects the drag force of the vacuum train in the tunnel. Overall, the elliptical train shape with a height to base ratio of 2:1 is more efficient for aerodynamic drag reduction of the vacuum tube train at the vacuum tube pressure of 1013.25 Pa.