Hyperloop: modelling the transport system of the future

Hyperloop is a revolutionary method of transportation that aims to move passengers at speeds greater than 1000 km/h. It’s potential as the future of transport has resulted in significant media attention, investment from technology companies and the proposal of lines throughout the world. It operates by transporting pods (which house passengers) within a steel tube held in a partial vacuum. This reduces the friction and drag associated with traditional rail transportation, however due to the high speeds involved, the vertical alignment of the entire steel tube structure between destinations must be constant. Natural variations in ground topography therefore mean that some sections must be above ground (e.g. supported by columns), while other sections will buried below ground.

For sections buried underground, a key challenge for hyperloop is that of tube vibration. When travelling at such high speeds, even small tube and pod vibrations must be avoided due to health and safety concerns. This is a challenge because although the pods are supported via magnetic levitation, they still exert forces onto the outer steel tube. Therefore underground tube sections impart energy into the supporting soil via wave propagation. This is not a problem at low speed, however when very fast moving loads impart wave energy into soil, large vibrations can suddenly occur at certain speeds. This is similar to an airplane passing the sound barrier and is known as the ‘critical velocity’ effect. Unless solved, it may limit the speed of hyperloop.

This project will investigate the generation of critical velocity effects due to hyperloop – a cutting-edge subject that has never been researched before. To do so, a computer model will be created capable of simulating hyperloop technology (e.g. tube and pod structures). It will then be used to test and develop new hyperloop technologies that overcome critical velocity, thus shaping the transport of the future.

The project is within the world leading Institute for High Speed Rail at the University of Leeds. Therefore there will be opportunities for industry collaboration and to interact with cutting-edge testing facilities.

Keywords: Hyperloop, Vacuum Transport, Vibration, Engineering, Maths, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Signal Processing, Geotechnical, Geophysics, Physics, High Speed Rail, Wave Propagation, Mathematics, Infrastructure, Structural Engineering.