30. Numerical simulation tool for RTRI Large-Scale Low-Noise Wind Tunnel
The Maibara Large-Scale Low-Noise Wind Tunnel, a key aerodynamics research facility at the Railway Technical Research Institute, is utilized more than 200 days per year for a variety of wind tunnel tests. By faithfully reproducing the wind tunnel testing environment, our numerical simulation tool helps to boost the efficiency and accuracy of wind tunnel testing at this facility.
The tool was developed through observation and numerical reproduction of airflows in the Maibara Wind Tunnel (see Figure 1). The numerical reproduction phase involved a series of complex flow calculations performed on the powerful in-house airflow simulator at the RTRI. We used a 3D laser scanner for geometric modeling of specimens, and constructed a system that encompasses all processes from geometric definitions through to computation (see Figure 2). The findings generated by the numerical simulation tool were found to be highly consistent with test results (Figure 1 right, Figure 2 right).
Our numerical wind tunnel simulation tool is designed to augment and enhance conventional wind tunnel testing, primarily by allowing researchers to use a narrower set of test conditions and fewer measurement points. Used in combination with conventional wind tunnel testing, the tool helps to speed up the testing phase, which means that research projects can be completed sooner. The tool also provides railway operators and others with an additional option for investigating issues as they arise, and one that can be used in combination with (rather than relying solely on) wind tunnel testing.
