Influence of inter-car wind-shield schemes on aerodynamic performance of high-speed trains

Based on a simplified CRH380 model consisting of 3 cars, the influence of 7 inter-car wind-shield schemes on the aerodynamic performance of cars and car-connecting parts was numerically studied at train speeds of 360, 420, 500 km/h. The analysis and contrast results indicate as follows: The types of inter-car wind-shield schemes have little influence on the aerodynamic pressure drag and viscous drag of cars; the influence of upper and lower wind-shields on the lift of cars is stronger than that of side wind-shields; comparing with the drag of the CRH380 typical wind-shield connecting-parts, the drag of the enclosed wind-shield connecting-parts is about 7% of it, which is the minimum; the drag in the absence of wind-shield connecting-parts is about 50%; and the drag of a connecting-part with upper, lower and both-side wind-shields is about 30%. Considering aerodynamic performance and easy implementation, the scheme with upper, lower and both-side enclosed wind-shields is more suitable for high-speed trains than other wind-shield schemes.