• International Journal of Railway
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.100-108
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• 2014

A numerical analysis method for predicting aerodynamic noise at inter-coach space of high-speed trains, validated by wind-tunnel experiments for limited speed range, is proposed. The wind-tunnel testing measurements of the train aerodynamic sound pressure level for the new generation Korean high-speed train have suggested that the inter-coach space aerodynamic noise varies approximately to the 7.7th power of the train speed. The observed high sensitivity serves as a motivation for the present investigation on elucidating the characteristics of noise emission at inter-coach space. As train speed increases, the effect of turbulent flows and vortex shedding is amplified, with concomitant increase in the aerodynamic noise. The turbulent flow field analysis demonstrates that vortex formation indeed causes generation of aerodynamic sound. For validation, numerical simulation and wind tunnel measurements are performed under identical conditions. The results show close correlation between the numerically derived and measured values, and with some adjustment, the results are found to be in good agreement. Thus validated, the numerical analysis procedure is applied to predict the aerodynamic noise level at inter-coach space. As the train gains speed, numerical simulation predicts increase in the overall aerodynamic sound emission level accompanied by an upward shift in the main frequency components of the sound. A contour mapping of the aerodynamic sound for the region enclosing the inter-coach space is presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.711-716
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• 2011

Today, high-speed trains enjoy wide acceptance as fast, convenient and environment-friendly means of transportation. However, increase in the speed of the train entails a concomitant increase in the aerodynamic noise, adversely affecting the passenger comfort. At the train speed exceeding 300 km/h, the effects of turbulent flows and vortex sheddding are greatly amplified, contributing to a significant increase in the aerodynamic noise. Drawing a biomimetic analogy from low-noise flight of owl, a method to reduce aerodynamic noise at inter-coach space of high-speed trains is investigated. The proposed method attempts to achieve the noise reduction by modifying the turbulent flow and vortex shedding characteristics at the inter-coach space. To determine the aerodynamic noise at various train speeds, wind tunnel testing and numerical CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation for the basic inter-coach spacing model are carried out, and their results compared. The simulation and experimental results reveal that there are discrete frequency components associated with turbulent air flow at constant intervals in the frequency domain

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2012.04a
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• pp.606-611
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• 2012

An analysis and design method for reducing aerodynamic noise in high-speed trains based on biomimetics of noiseless flight of owl is proposed. Wind tunnel testing and numerical CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation for the basic inter-coach spacing model are carried out, and their results compared. To determine the effect of scaling of the owl's flight feather on the noise reduction, two-fold and a four-fold scaled up model of the feather are constructed, and the numerical simulations are carried out to obtain the aerodynamic noise levels for each scale. Original model is found to reduce the noise level by 10 dB, while two-fold increase in length dimensions reduces the noise by 12 dB. Validation of numerical solution using wind tunnel experimental measurements are presented as well.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.109-115
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• 2011

An analysis and design method for reducing aerodynamic noise in high-speed trains based on biomimetics of noiseless flight of owl is proposed. Five factors related to the morphology of the flight feather have been selected, and the candidate optimal shape of the flight feather is determined. The turbulent flow field analysis demonstrates that the optimal shape leads to diminished vortex formation by causing separation of the flow as well as allowing the fluid to climb up along the surface of the flight feather. To determine the effect of scaling of the owl's flight feather on the noise reduction, a two-fold and a four-fold scaled up model of the feather are constructed, and the numerical simulations are carried out to obtain the aerodynamic noise levels for each scale. Original model is found to reduce the noise level by 10 dBA, while two-fold increase in length dimensions reduces the noise by 12 dBA. Validation of numerical solution using wind tunnel experimental measurements is presented as well.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.74-79
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• 2011

Recent years have witnessed speed up of moving vehicles such as high-speed of trains. Increase in speed entails concomitant increase in turbulent air flow which contributes toward increased aerodynamic noise. The proposed method for aerodynamic noise reduction is based on a biomimetic design of owl feather. The five morphological parameters of the owl feather are extracted from close observation, and simulation cases are constructed by applying design of experiments methodology. Swirling strength for each case is obtained through steady-state CFD analysis, and key morphological parameters that affect the turbulence are identified. Large eddy simulations (LES) are then performed on selected cases to predict the air turbulence. Different cases show varying vortex distributions which are expected to lead to varying aerodynamic noise levels.