RTRI's Large-scale Low-noise Wind Tunnel Comes into Being
A large-scale, low-noise wind tunnel under construction for the RTRI
at Maibara-cho in Shiga has been completed and is placed in regular
operation. It is the first one of the top class and performance in the
world to be built for the exclusive use of railways. It will be devoted
to the research and development activities dealing with various aerodynamic
problems in high-speed Shinkansen. Completion of the wind tunnel was marked
on June 5 by a ceremony in a festive mood with a large attendance of guests
including the DNW staff concerned, officials from the Japanese Ministry of
Transport, JR West Japan and local dignitaries invited.
RTRI's large-scale low-noise wind tunnel is characterized in that;
1. Low-noise efficiency unequalled in the world
(Background noise level : 75dB at 300km/h)
2. Highest wind velocity performance, for the large-scale low-noise wind
tunnel ever built in Japan.
3. Equipped with a fast-moving belt ground plate to simulate a high-precision
real running.
(Dimensions : 2.7m wide x 6.0m long and speed : 60m/s)
The RTRI intends to put this wind tunnel to the following purposes:
1. Technological development to mitigate the aerodynamic noise of the high-speed
Shinkansen.
2. Elucidation of aerodynamic phenomena to deduce the aerodynamic drag of
train-set and the aerodynamic influence on vehicle dynamics.
Meanwhile, this wind tunnel is of such a scale that it can measure a
full-scale automobile. Therefore the specification of its measuring unit is
not confined to the railway vehicle model, but it accommodates universal
applications. Besides, with sufficient attention paid to the safety and
workability in the interest of workers concerned, it permits automatic
control from its operation to collection of test data and to their analysis,
while the levels of noise and vibration at the boundaries of the plant area
remain well within the control limits and even a friendly consideration is
given to the landscape.
