Aerodynamic Analysis on the Nose of Sulawesi Train of PT INKA

• Main Author: Irfan, Saidina
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/43939
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Reducing the coefficient of resistance (CD) is one way to improve train performance. The purpose of this study was to conduct modelling and simulation of aerodynamic behaviour of the Sulawesi train of PT INKA. The sulawesi train of PT INKA is classified as a medium speed train with a maximum speed of up to 160 km/hour. The aerodynamic characteristics of the train can be controlled by modifying the length of the nose and the width of the front hood of the train. A calculation of computational fluid dynamics of the Sulawesi train of PT INKA model is carried out to simulate and estimate its CD using the ANSYS Fluent software. The speed of the train used in the simulation was 160 km/hour i.e. its maximum speed. The k-? realizable turbulence model was chosen as the most suitable turbulence model for this simulation. Three other train models with nose length and front hood width of 4 m and 1 m, 5 m and 0.8 m, and 6 m and 0.5 m, were also conducted in this study. Each model of the train were simulated to get their pressure contours and values of CD so that their associated aerodynamic phenomena can be understood. The value of the train CD is divided into several regions so that the part that has a large CD value was known. Areas that have a large enough CD value are the area on the body surface and the area on the front surface of the train. The CD value for the initial shape of the train is 0.53. Meanwhile, the smallest CD value was obtained for train with nose length of 6 m and front hood width of 0.5 m that is equal to 0.50. Thus the resulting power savings are 14.77 hp or 3.3% of the train engine power.