Research News
The vehicle performance of high-speed trains is tested in a hitherto unprecedented realistic environment in the new tunnel simulation facility at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Göttingen. Photo: DLR
More information:
www.helmholtz.de/dlr-tunnelsimulation
More information:
Streamlining the Train of the Future
In order to further optimise the shape of trains, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) has taken up operations of two new research facilities at the DLR site Göttingen. In this worldwide unique tunnel simulation facility, the DLR experts investigate the aerodynamics of high-speed trains, in particular during entry into a tunnel: In this event, the train pushes into the tunnel like the piston of an air pump and causes a shock wave, which can lead to sound effects similar to those created by supersonic aircraft. This is what the Helmholtz researchers aim to prevent. The forces and pressure on a train in the event of cross wind can be simulated in the cross wind test facility. "At a speed of 300 km/h, the tip of double-decker trains is disburdened and could topple over in the event of strong cross winds in spite of a train weight of hundreds of metric tons", explains Prof. Dr Andreas Dillmann, Head of the DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology.
