Combined Nodal and Non-Conformal Contact Approach for the Analysis of Turnout Negotiations of Multibody Railroad Vehicles

Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Sugiyama ◽  
Takuto Sekiguchi ◽  
Ryosuke Matsumura ◽  
Shunpei Yamashita ◽  
Yoshihiro Suda

In this investigation, a numerical procedure that can be used for solving complex wheel/rail contact problems in turnout is proposed. In particular, a combined nodal and non-conformal contact approach is developed such that significant jumps in contact points are detected using the nodal search, while the exact location of contact point is then determined with continuous surface parameterizations using non-conformal contact equations. With this combined nodal and non-conformal contact approach for the contact geometry analysis of vehicle/turnout interactions, multiple look-up contact tables can be generated in an efficient way without losing accuracy. Since detailed contact search is performed offline to obtain look-up contact tables, significant changes in contact points in turnout can be efficiently predicted online with tabular data to be interpolated in a standard way. Several numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the numerical procedure developed in this investigation.

Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Sugiyama ◽  
Yoshihiro Suda

In this investigation, contact search algorithms for the analysis of wheel/rail contact problems are discussed, and the on-line and off-line hybrid contact search method is developed for multibody railroad vehicle dynamics simulations using the elastic contact formulation. In the hybrid algorithm developed in this investigation, the off-line search that can be effectively used for the tread contact is switched to the on-line search when the contact point is jumped to the flange region. In the two-point contact scenarios encountered in curve negotiations, the on-line search is used for both tread and flange contacts to determine the two-point contact configuration. By so doing, contact points on the flange region given by the off-line tabular search are never used, but rather used as an initial estimate for the online iterative procedure for improving the numerical convergence. Furthermore, the continual on-line detection of the second point of contact is replaced with a simple table look-up. It is demonstrated by several numerical examples that include flange climb and curve negotiation scenarios that the proposed hybrid contact search algorithm can be effectively used for modeling wheel/rail contacts in the analysis of general multibody railroad vehicle dynamics.


Author(s):  
Shunpei Yamashita ◽  
Hiroyuki Sugiyama

In this investigation, a numerical procedure for wheel/rail contact problems in the analysis of curve negotiation of railroad vehicles is developed using constraint/elastic contact approach. In particular, this work focuses on the flange contact detection algorithm using the two-point look-up contact table and the switching algorithm from the elastic to constraint contact for the flange climb simulation. The two-point look-up contact table is used for the contact search of the second point of contact modeled using the elastic contact, while the constraint contact is used for the first point of contact on the wheel tread. Furthermore, in the flange climb simulation using the constraint contact formulation, loss of a tread contact modeled using the constraint contact occurs. Therefore, the elastic contact used for modeling the flange contact in the two-point contact state needs to be switched to the constraint contact as soon as loss of the tread contact occurs. For this reason, if the Lagrange multiplier associated with the contact constraint becomes greater than or equal to zero, the elastic contact used for the flange is switched to the constraint contact. The computational algorithm for the proposed switching algorithm is also presented. Several numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the numerical procedure developed in this investigation for modeling the two-point tread/flange contact as well as the flange climb behavior. Numerical results are in good agreement with those of the existing fully elastic contact formulation. Furthermore, it is shown that significant reduction in CPU time is achieved using the numerical procedure developed in this investigation.


1979 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 702-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. S. R. Karamchetty ◽  
W. Y. Yuen

Forces are transmitted across the contact points in a wire rope. Wires tend to bend in between the contact points and they tend to nick and cut at the contact points. A computer method is discussed to determine the contact points in a wire rope. In a geometrically perfect wire rope with the wires laid as double-helices no contact point occurs. But in an actual rope, the geometry changes while laying and due to loading, thus permitting contacts at a number of points. The paper discusses such contact points. Some refinements of the basic model were considered and results presented.


Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Sugiyama ◽  
Yoshihiro Suda

In this investigation, the on-line and off-line hybrid contact algorithm for modeling wheel/rail contact problems is developed based on the elastic contact formulation. In the tabular contact search used in existing specialized railroad vehicle dynamics codes, contact points are predicted using an assumption of rigid contacts. For this reason, the contact points can be different from those predicted by the on-line based contact search used in general elastic contact formulations. The difference in the contact point becomes significant when flange contacts that have large contact angles are considered. In the hybrid algorithm developed in this investigation, the off-line tabular search is used for treating tread contacts, while the on-line iterative search is used for treating flange contacts. By so doing, a computationally efficient procedure is achieved while keeping accurate predictions of contact points on the wheel flange. Furthermore, the use of the proposed hybrid algorithm can eliminate the use of time-consuming on-line search procedures for the second points of contact as well. Since the location of second points of contact is pre-computed in the contact geometry analysis, the occurrence of two-point contact can be predicted using the look-up table in a straightforward manner. For the two-point contact scenarios encountered in curve negotiations, the online search is used for flange contacts, while the off-line search is used for tread contacts simultaneously. The on-line one-point contact search is also important for flange climb scenarios. It is demonstrated by several numerical examples that the proposed hybrid contact search algorithm can be effectively used for modeling wheel/rail contacts in the analysis of general multibody railroad vehicle systems.


Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Sugiyama ◽  
Yoshihiro Suda

In this investigation, a numerical procedure that can be used for the analysis of a wheel and rail contact geometry is developed using the constraint contact formulation. The locations of contact points are determined for given lateral and yaw displacements of a wheelset when one-point contact is considered for each wheel, while these two displacements are no longer independent when the two-point contact occurs. A systematic procedure for predicting the flange, as well as the back-of-flange contact points, is developed and used for the two-point contact geometry analysis of a wheel and rail. Numerical results that involve tread, flange, and back-of-flange contacts are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the contact algorithm developed in this investigation. In particular, the back-of-flange contact is discussed for assessing contact configurations of a wheel and a grooved rail in light rail vehicle applications.


Lubricants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Menga ◽  
Francesco Bottiglione ◽  
Giuseppe Carbone

In this paper, we study the steady-state rolling contact of a linear viscoelastic layer of finite thickness and a rigid indenter made of a periodic array of equally spaced rigid cylinders. The viscoelastic contact model is derived by means of Green’s function approach, which allows solving the contact problem with the sliding velocity as a control parameter. The contact problem is solved by means of an accurate numerical procedure developed for general two-dimensional contact geometries. The effect of geometrical quantities (layer thickness, cylinders radii, and cylinders spacing), material properties (viscoelastic moduli, relaxation time) and operative conditions (load, velocity) are all investigated. Physical quantities typical of contact problems (contact areas, deformed profiles, etc.) are calculated and discussed. Special emphasis is dedicated to the viscoelastic friction force coefficient and to the energy dissipated per unit time. The discussion is focused on the role played by the deformation localized at the contact spots and the one in the bulk of the thin layer, due to layer bending. The model is proposed as an accurate solution for engineering applications such as belt conveyors, in which the energy dissipated on the rolling contact of idle rollers can, in some cases, be by far the most important contribution to their energy consumption.


Author(s):  
Mate Antali ◽  
Gabor Stepan

AbstractIn this paper, the general kinematics and dynamics of a rigid body is analysed, which is in contact with two rigid surfaces in the presence of dry friction. Due to the rolling or slipping state at each contact point, four kinematic scenarios occur. In the two-point rolling case, the contact forces are undetermined; consequently, the condition of the static friction forces cannot be checked from the Coulomb model to decide whether two-point rolling is possible. However, this issue can be resolved within the scope of rigid body dynamics by analysing the nonsmooth vector field of the system at the possible transitions between slipping and rolling. Based on the concept of limit directions of codimension-2 discontinuities, a method is presented to determine the conditions when the two-point rolling is realizable without slipping.


2021 ◽  
pp. 146808742110080
Author(s):  
Jamshid Malekmohammadi Nouri ◽  
Ioannis Vasilakos ◽  
Youyou Yan

A new engine block with optical access has been designed and manufactured capable of running up to 3000 r/min with the same specification as the unmodified engine. The optical window allowed access to the full length of the liner over a width of 25 mm to investigate the lubricant flow and cavitation at contact point between the rings and cylinder-liner. In addition, it allowed good access into the combustion chamber to allow charged flow, spray and combustion visualisation and measurements using different optical methods. New custom engine management system with build in LabView allowed for the precise full control of the engine. The design of the new optical engine was a great success in producing high quality images of lubricant flow, cavitation formation and development at contact point at different engine speeds ranging from 208 to 3000 r/min and lubricant temperatures (30°C–70°C) using a high-speed camera. The results under motorised operation confirmed that there was no cavitation at contact points during the intake/exhaust strokes due to low in-cylinder presure, while during compression/expansion strokes, with high in-cylinder pressure, considerable cavities were observed, in particular, during the compression stroke. Lubricant temperatures had the effect of promoting cavities both in their intensity and covered ring area up to 50°C as expected. Beyond that, although the cavitation intensity increases further with temperature, its area reduces due to possible collapse of the cavitating bubbles at higher temperature. The change of engine speed from 208 to 800 r/min increased cavitating area considerably by 52% of the ring area and was further increased by 19% at 1000 r/min. After that, the results showed very small increase in cavitation area (1.3% at 2000 r/min) with similar intensity and distribution across the ring.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Itami ◽  
Akihito Hashidzume ◽  
Yuri Kamon ◽  
Hiroyasu Yamaguchi ◽  
Akira Harada

AbstractBiological macroscopic assemblies have inspired researchers to utilize molecular recognition to develop smart materials in these decades. Recently, macroscopic self-assemblies based on molecular recognition have been realized using millimeter-scale hydrogel pieces possessing molecular recognition moieties. During the study on macroscopic self-assembly based on molecular recognition, we noticed that the shape of assemblies might be dependent on the host–guest pair. In this study, we were thus motivated to study the macroscopic shape of assemblies formed through host–guest interaction. We modified crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate) microparticles, i.e., superabsorbent polymer (SAP) microparticles, with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and adamantyl (Ad) residues (βCD(x)-SAP and Ad(y)-SAP microparticles, respectively, where x and y denote the mol% contents of βCD and Ad residues). Then, we studied the self-assembly behavior of βCD(x)-SAP and Ad(y)-SAP microparticles through the complexation of βCD with Ad residues. There was a threshold of the βCD content in βCD(x)-SAP microparticles for assembly formation between x = 22.3 and 26.7. On the other hand, the shape of assemblies was dependent on the Ad content, y; More elongated assemblies were formed at a higher y. This may be because, at a higher y, small clusters formed in an early stage can stick together even upon collisions at a single contact point to form elongated aggregates, whereas, at a smaller y, small clusters stick together only upon collisions at multiple contact points to give rather circular assemblies. On the basis of these observations, the shape of assembly formed from microparticles can be controlled by varying y.


2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Wiedmann ◽  
Bob Sturges

Compliant mechanisms for rigid part mating exist for prismatic geometries. A few instances are known of mechanisms to assemble screw threads. A comprehensive solution to this essentially geometric problem comprises at least three parts: parametric equations for nut and bolt contact in the critical starting phase of assembly, the possible space of motions between these parts during this phase, and the design space of compliant devices which accomplish the desired motions in the presence of friction and positional uncertainty. This work concentrates on the second part in which the threaded pair is modeled numerically, and contact tests are automated through software. Tessellated solid models were used during three-dimensional collision analysis to enumerate the approximate location of the initial contact point. The advent of a second contact point presented a more constrained contact state. Thus, the bolt is rotated about a vector defined by the initial two contact points until a third contact location was found. By analyzing the depth of intersection of the bolt into the nut as well as the vertical movement of the origin of the bolt reference frame, we determined that there are three types of contacts states present: unstable two-point, quasi-stable two-point, stable three point. The space of possible motions is bounded by these end conditions which will differ in detail depending upon the starting orientations. We investigated all potential orientations which obtain from a discretization of the roll, pitch, and yaw uncertainties, each of which has its own set of contact points. From this exhaustive examination, a full contact state history was determined, which lays the foundation for the design space of either compliant mechanisms or intelligent sensor-rich controls.


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