Effect of the slipstream of passing trains on structures adjacent to the track

Summary

The purpose of this leaflet is to give the user a means of estimating the effect of slipstream from passing trains on structures adjacent to the track, in various situations.

The formulae supplied enable calculation of the aerodynamic loads applied to the structure as a function of the speed of the train and its aerodynamic coefficient, and of the shape of the structure and its position relative to the track.

The leaflet considers vertical, horizontal and inclined structures and combinations thereof. Various example applications are given for common structures.

Various railways have observed fatigue-induced breakages in the metallic supports for noise protection walls; in response to this, an appendix details a fatigue calculation method for these structures (vertical walls).