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ISSN 2753-3239
CCC: 15
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Edited by: J. Pombo
Paper 11.2

Hyperloop Vehicle Aerodynamics and Shape Design-From Theoretical Investigation to Engineering Practice

B. Qian, C. Cai, L. Li, D. He and T. Wang

School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Hunan, China

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
B. Qian, C. Cai, L. Li, D. He, T. Wang, "Hyperloop Vehicle Aerodynamics and Shape Design-From Theoretical Investigation to Engineering Practice", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance ", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, Online volume: CCC 15, Paper 11.2, 2026, doi:10.4203/ccc.15.11.2
Keywords: high-speed maglev, Hyperloop, aerodynamics, choked flow, shock wave, critical condition, hysterisis.

Abstract
Compared to conventional rail transit, Hyperloop trains are characterized by subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flow regimes, where abrupt transitions in the flow field induce severe fluctuations in aerodynamic loads. Although extensive research has been conducted to establish systematic flow field structures, critical aerodynamic effects—specifically shock waves and choked flow exhibit high sensitivity to vehicle geometry. These critical phenomena profoundly dictate the selection of top-level system specifications and the determination of operational safety parameters. Integrating findings from the authors' research group and the existing literature, this study provides a systematic review of flow field structures and their subsequent impacts on aerodynamic loads. Specifically, it elucidates the hysteresis effects inherent in flow field transitions during vehicle acceleration and deceleration phases. Furthermore, the paper characterizes the influence of one-dimensional, two- dimensional, and three-dimensional flows on critical aerodynamic phenomena, thereby offering essential theoretical support for the practical engineering implementation of Hyperloop systems.

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