Page 342 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 5

Sepúlveda Abad, Silvia. Lastra de la Rubia, Emilia.

The works carried out solved situations during the execution of the tunnels, demonstrating a
great adaptability of the calculations to real situations. In this way, it was possible to update
the aerodynamic study to the existing conditions of the infrastructure and to introduce changes
of speed during the stage of exploitation.

In view of the conclusions drawn in the study, the following points are highlighted:

• The optimization of the free cross-sections of the tunnels has allowed to achieve savings in
construction costs derived from the reduction in the concepts of excavation, support system
and lining.

• In cases where the section could not be reduced, either because it was the minimum section
according to the IGF 4.1 of ADIF, or because it was not possible to reduce it due to other
reasons, it was possible to carry out a speed sensitivity study, to determine the maximum
speed of circulation of the trains inside the tunnels with the conditions imposed. This
improves and optimises the operating conditions.

• ThermoTun's great versatility and flexibility against the UIC 779-11 tokens. This type of
calculations allows to implement changes in the layout of tunnels, trains, speeds that the
chips do not allow, so it is not possible to quickly adapt them to a construction situation in
which changes can occur suddenly.

However, over the years, the following must be taken into account:

• During the last years there have been changes in the characteristics of the rolling stock.
This means an improvement of the conditions of the tightness of the trains, as well as
the geometrical and aerodynamic characteristics thereof, which make the results obtained
from the aerodynamic calculations with the current trains better and better. This makes
possible, from the point of view of the operation, to increase speeds while meeting the
criteria of health and comfort. Therefore, it is recommended that, if you want to increase
travelling speeds, these aerodynamic studies are performed.

• Currently there are many tunnels in Spain that were built without carrying out this type
of studies. In many cases, conducting a study of these characteristics could provide with
circulation guidelines for trains that improve operating conditions.

5.2 Interoperability certifications. High speed lines to levante and Barcelona

Another relevant piece of work carried out has been the certifications of interoperability,
have been carried out for two reasons. On one hand, to demonstrate compliance with the
Infrastructure TSI under the supervision of the NoBo (Notify Body). On the other hand, to assess
how fast it is possible to circulate complying with such regulations.

With that purpose, studies have been carried out for the Levante High Speed line and the
Barcelona - Figueras line.
In the case of the Levante line, S-130 and S-112 trains were considered as well as a generic
interoperable train that complied with the Rolling Stock TSI. The calculation speed was 300km/h
for a total of 22 tunnels.
In the study of the Barcelona line, the studies were carried out with two types of trains, a S-103

340 360.revista de alta velocidad