Hiroyuki Kanemoto

A Study on Vehicle Response to a Sudden Gust of Wind

In order to analyze the behavior of a railway vehicle that is subjected to a sudden gust of wind, we have conducted wind tunnel tests and running tests using a 1/10th scale train model. The feature of this model is that its spring stiffness is chosen considering the law of similarity between external forces and the resultant displacement of the car body. Using this model, we have examined aerodynamic forces acting on the surface of the car body and the behavior of the model in detail. Moreover, using the full-vehicle simulation program that we have developed in order to analyze the behavior of railway vehicles under crosswinds, we have examined the effects of the rapid changes of wind forces on overturning or wheel unloading ratios. As a result, it has been revealed that a sudden increase in wind force of less than 3 seconds can affect vehicle dynamic response considerably. On the other hand, a conventional static analysis is sufficient to evaluate a vehicle response for a slow increase in wind force of more than 3 seconds.