TRACK SYSTEMS FOR HIGH SPEED RAILWAYS: GETTING IT RIGHT
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Civil Engineering
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Soper D
(2017)
Full scale measurements of train underbody flows and track forces
in Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics
Soper D
(2016)
The influence of ballast shoulder height on train aerodynamic flow development
in Civil-Comp Proceedings
Soper D
(2017)
A comparative study of methods to simulate aerodynamic flow beneath a high-speed train
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit
Baker C J
(2016)
Train Aerodynamics. Past, present and Future
| Description | As a result of this project a new understanding of how the aerodynamics of high speed trains contribute the ballast flight behind trains. This has been achieved through thorough numerical analysis using high fidelity CFD simulations and physical testing. Together with geotechnical engineering and vibration research the places at which high maintenance of the track were identified. |
| Exploitation Route | The results of this project were published in scientific journals and conference proceedings. Train operators and manufacturer might use the results when considering maintenance and risk associated with ballast flights behind high speed trains. |
| Sectors | Construction,Environment,Transport |
| Description | The project provided a wealth of information on the nature of the flow beneath trains, and the interaction between aerodynamic and mechanical effects on ballast flight. This has led to the first coherent model of ballast movement between trains that takes into account both effects. This model has been used as the overarching framework for the chapter on ballast flight in the recent text book "Train Aerodynamics: Principles and applications". Some of the data that has been obtained is being used in the ongoing development of the CEN standard in this area. In addition the underbody flow data has been used to validate a novel physical moving modelling techniques where upside trains pass beneath a suspended ground plane. This technique has much promise for train validation studies. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Environment,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Southampton |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Department | Faculty of Engineering and the Environment |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The project was a joint collaboration between University of Birmingham and University of Southampton. This was the first collaboration between the PI and University of Southampton. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Southampton was responsible for the Geo-technical aspects of the project while University of Birmingham was responsible for the train aerodynamic part. University of Southampton used the aerodynamic data generated by Birmingham for the flow around trains to investigate the movements of the ballast underneath the train. |
| Impact | Soper, D., Flynn, D., Baker, C., Jackson, A. & Hemida, H. (2017) "A comparison of methods to simulate the aerodynamic flow beneath a high speed train" In : Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 44 p.1-19 |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Eureca Conference, Malaysia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | That was an invited keynote speech in Taylor University annual conference in Malaysia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Keynote London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an invited keynote speech in the The Global Summit and Expo on Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Keynote lecture - Train aerodynamics, past, present and future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Keynote lecture, Railways 2016, Cagliari, Sardinia |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Organizing International conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | University of Birmingham has been chosen to host the 9th International Conference of Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Applications (BBAA), Birmingham, 2020. Hemida is the Chair of the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk to HS1 staff on research project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Followed byanimateddiscussion on the research work HS1 agreed toast as partner of further grant applications |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Visiting Professor |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Dr Hemida was invited as a visiting professor at the Lanzhou university in China to deliver three lectures about train aerodynamics as part of their 60th anniversary of train aerodynamic division in the university. The audiences were a mix of academics, graduate and undergraduate students. The number of attendees was about 200. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |