Investigation of Aerodynamic Pressure Characteristics Inside and Outside a Metro Train Traversing a Tunnel in High-Altitude Regions

The numerical method was employed to analyze the transient pressure characteristics of a metro train passing through a tunnel in high-altitude regions. The transient pressure evolution inside and outside the train under varying ambient pressures is analyzed and compared. The findings indicate that while ambient pressure minimally impacts the waveform of the exterior transient pressure, it significantly influences the peak value. Specifically, as ambient pressure rises, the maximum transient pressure (P-max) and the peak-to-peak transient pressure (ΔP) on the train’s exterior surface increase linearly, whereas the minimum transient pressure (P-min) decreases linearly. Moreover, this study analyzed pressure changes within the metro train under varying ambient pressures to assess their impact on passengers’ ear comfort. The trend of pressure peak reduction and delay inside the metro train with a certain degree of airtightness remains well aligned for different ambient pressures. In areas of high altitude with low atmospheric pressure, the requirements for the tightness performance of the train are lower.