Department Report
To effectively address the existing problems or challenges within the industry and academia, the University of Lahore (UOL) encourages its faculty and students to constantly engage in quality research. In this way, the faculty and undergraduate students of the Mechanical Engineering Department published their research work titled “Enhancement of Aerodynamic Performance of High Speed Train through Nose Profile Design: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach” in a Malaysian based International Web of Science indexed journal on November 15, 2022.
The research paper was co-authored by Mr Khurram Hameed Mughal (Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department), Mr Salman Abubakar Bugvi (Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department), Mr Muhammad Fawad Jamil (Laboratory Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department) and undergraduate students Basim Taimoor, Taha Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Ashraf, Abdul Ahad and Ali Abdullah Gondal.
The published research aimed at improving the aerodynamic performance of a high speed train through nose profile design. The base model of an existing train in operation was marked for improvement through system modelling and simulation. Substantial improvements were made by varying different geometric parameters of the train nose profile using computer aided engineering. These various models were analysed for numerically computed drag, lift, velocity, and pressure distributions using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software.
The improved design resulting in better aerodynamic performance was identified. This design with subsequent performance observed through simulated models indicated higher speed, lower drag, less fuel consumption, and safer for the transportation mechanism. The authors are highly grateful to their department and the UOL management for their valuable support.