Design and installation parameters of the braking plate with opening holes for high-speed trains

With the continuous increase of the train speed, the aerodynamic braking plate effectively addresses the issue of insufficient emergency braking force for high-speed trains. To enhance the braking efficiency, this work proposes a braking plate with opening holes and investigates its design and installation parameters. By establishing a numerical simulation model of the aerodynamics of a high-speed train with wind resistance braking plates, the RANS method based on the SST k−ω turbulence model, was used in this study to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of the high-speed trains equipped with braking plates with and without opening holes. The influences of design and installation parameters on the performance of the high-speed train were analyzed, including the number, spacing and diameter of opening holes on the plate, as well as the installation angle and the number of plates. The results indicate that the braking plate with opening holes provides a larger braking force for the train compared to the smooth plate. The braking force increases with the number of holes, spacing, and diameter, reaching the maximum under the condition of 8 holes, a spacing of 135 mm, and a diameter of 20 mm; beyond this point, the braking force decreases. The optimal braking performance occurs when the braking plate with opening holes is installed at a 90° angle to the horizontal plane. An 8-hole plate with a spacing of 135 mm, a diameter of 20 mm, and an installation angle of 90° increases the drag of the train by 4.65%. Additionally, the braking force of the train increases with the number of installed braking plates, reaching the most significant braking effect with 12 plates, then decreases.