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Overview
Shark-Inspired Hoods for Tunnel Boom Control
Existing 250–300 km/h lines (Gyeongbu, Honam, Wonju–Gangneung, Dodam–Yeongcheon) use large tunnel sections (68–107 m²) and thus avoid micro-pressure wave booms at tunnel exits.
New high-speed projects adopt small-section concrete tunnels, raising concern over micro-pressure wave radiation and blast noise at tunnel exits.
Korea’s 250 km/h railways plan tunnels with the world’s smallest sections (38–45 m²), where longer tunnels cause exponentially larger micro-pressure wave booms.
Biomimetic “reduction hoods” inspired by shark ram ventilation are developed for tunnel micro-pressure wave boom control.
These hoods provide world-leading boom reduction performance while fitting small-section high-speed rail tunnels.
Core Competencies
Purpose
High-performance tunnel hood suppressing sonic-boom-like micro-pressure wave noise at high-speed tunnel exits.
Shark-Inspired Ram-Ventilation Hood
Shark-Inspired Ram-Ventilation Hood
Biomimetic design mimics shark ram ventilation to guide pressure waves and reduce exit boom noise.
High-Performance Noise Reduction
High-Performance Noise Reduction
Reduces tunnel sonic-boom noise by over 80% and exceeds conventional devices by more than 30%.
Full-Scale Performance Verification
Full-Scale Performance Verification
Full-scale test-bed at the Osong comprehensive test line completed performance validation in June 2020.
Expected Benefits
Deployment on New Lines
– Applied as technical support for Nam-Bu Inland Line (Gimcheon–Geoje, 177.9 km, KRW 6.86 trillion),
Donghae Northern Line Gangneung–Jejin (111.7 km, KRW 2.76 trillion),
and Chuncheon–Sokcho East–West High-Speed Line (93.7 km, KRW 2.44 trillion) targeted for 2028–2029 opening.
High-Performance Noise Control
– Reduces blast noise and vibration complaints from residents near tunnel portals.
Cost & Schedule Reduction
– Micro-pressure wave mitigation enables smaller tunnel cross-sections, reducing rail tunnel construction costs
and shortening construction time.
Improved Operation & Service
– Eliminating speed reductions at tunnel entry increases average train speed, shortens travel time, and improves customer satisfaction.
Certifications
Full-scale performance test, Osong test line (Jun. 2020)
TRL 9
Advanced to commercialization stage
Contact
Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI)
Global Business Department
Dr. DongHyeon Kim
E-mail: dhkim@krri.re.kr
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