Investigation of the effects of different parameters on the generated pressure waves inside the tunnels

In this research the train movement along the tunnel was simulated numerically, and the time evolution of the flow field in the tunnel was evaluated. The unsteady forms of continuity, Navier–Stokes, and energy equations were applied to solve the compressible viscous flow using the dynamic mesh technique. The importance of using a compressible flow model, even for the low Mach number flow case, was demonstrated. It was shown that even in low train speeds; a compressible model is preferred, as it can predict the pressure fluctuations, while an incompressible model may only be used for predicting the mean pressure. However, in cases where pressure fluctuations are not important, the incompressible model can be used especially for a train with low acceleration. When the trains accelerate, it was found that the initial slope of the pressure curve is proportional to the train acceleration. Therefore, the increase in the train acceleration increases the maximum pressure rise. Also, the first pressure rise depends on the velocity of the train tail as it enters the tunnel. In addition, the earlier equations in the literature for computing the maximum pressure rise, can properly predict the pressure rise of accelerating trains if the train tail velocity, as it enters the tunnel, is used as the velocity scale.