SUBWAY AERODYNAMIC SCALE MODEL TESTING

Described is a 1/16-scale model test (SAT) facility designed, built, and operated for the purpose of studying the aerodyanmics and thermodynamics of subway systems as they relate to the understanding and improvement of subway environmental control. The SAT facility is horizontal, the models run at real speeds, and the geometry is more realistic than previous experimental studies. A detailed description of the SAT facility and the train models used is presented, as well as a discussion of the measurements made, and several examples of results, e.g.: drag coefficients, air flow motion values, as a function of tunnel venting. Drag coefficient results for a range of train blockage ratios and tunnel length-to-diameter (L/D) ratios are compared to a theory developed at CalTech by Harris and data from several drop tube experimental studies; the comparison is seen to be good. SAT facility data for several venting configurations are also presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Intersociety Committee on Transportation for presentation at the Intersociety Conference on Transportation, Denver, Colo., Sept. 23-27, 1973.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Seeman, G R
  • Culliah, C A
  • Krachman, H E
• Publication Date: 1973-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Environmental quality; Rapid transit; Subways; Tunnels
• Old TRIS Terms: Subway environment
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Environment; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051402
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ASME Journal of Mechanical Engineering
• Report/Paper Numbers: 73-ICT-57 Paper
• Contract Numbers: UT-290-SC-3001, SC-72-200, DC-MTD-7
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 9 1982 12:00AM