Application of Coupled Train-Track Modelling of Critical Speeds for High-Speed Trains using Three-Dimensional Non-Linear Finite Elements

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.K. Woodward ◽  
O. Laghrouche ◽  
S.B. Mezher ◽  
D.P. Connolly
Author(s):  
Khaled E. Zaazaa ◽  
Brian Whitten ◽  
Brian Marquis ◽  
Erik Curtis ◽  
Magdy El-Sibaie ◽  
...  

Accurate prediction of railroad vehicle performance requires detailed formulations of wheel-rail contact models. In the past, most dynamic simulation tools used an offline wheel-rail contact element based on look-up tables that are used by the main simulation solver. Nowadays, the use of an online nonlinear three-dimensional wheel-rail contact element is necessary in order to accurately predict the dynamic performance of high speed trains. Recently, the Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development has sponsored a project to develop a general multibody simulation code that uses an online nonlinear three-dimensional wheel-rail contact element to predict the contact forces between wheel and rail. In this paper, several nonlinear wheel-rail contact formulations are presented, each using the online three-dimensional approach. The methods presented are divided into two contact approaches. In the first Constraint Approach, the wheel is assumed to remain in contact with the rail. In this approach, the normal contact forces are determined by using the technique of Lagrange multipliers. In the second Elastic Approach, wheel/rail separation and penetration are allowed, and the normal contact forces are determined by using Hertz’s Theory. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented in this paper. In addition, this paper discusses future developments and improvements for the multibody system code. Some of these improvements are currently being implemented by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). In the accompanying “Part 2” and “Part 3” to this paper, numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the results obtained from this research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (23) ◽  
pp. 4991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li ◽  
Su ◽  
Kaewunruen

A novel three-dimensional (3D) coupled train-track-soil interaction model is developed based on the multi-body simulation (MBS) principle and finite element modeling (FEM) theory using LS-DYNA. The novel model is capable of determining the highspeed effects of trains on track and foundation. The soils in this model are treated as saturated media. The wheel-rail dynamic interactions under the track irregularity are developed based on the Hertz contact theory. This model was validated by comparing its numerical results with experimental results obtained from field measurements and a good agreement was established. The one-layered saturated soil model is firstly developed to investigate the vibration responses of pore water pressures, effective and total stresses, and displacements of soils under different train speeds and soil moduli. The multi-layered soils with and without piles are then developed to highlight the influences of multi-layered soils and piles on the ground vibration responses. The effects of water on the train-track dynamic interactions are also presented. The original insight from this study provides a new and better understanding into saturated ground vibration responses in high-speed railway systems using slab tracks in practice. This insight will help track engineers to inspect, maintain, and improve soil conditions effectively, resulting in a seamless railway operation.


Author(s):  
H-T Lin ◽  
S-H Ju

This paper investigates the dynamic characteristics of the three-dimensional vehicle-bridge system when two high-speed trains are crossing on a bridge. Multispan bridges with slender piers and simply supported beams were used in the dynamic finite element analysis. A response ratio (RR) was defined in this study to represent the ratio of the vehicle-bridge interaction of two-way trains to that of a one-way train. The finite element results indicate that this ratio increases significantly when two-way trains run near the same speed, and the maximum value is approximately equal to or smaller than two for the vertical dynamic response. This means that the maximum dynamic response of the two-way trains is at most twice that of the one-way train. When the two-way train speeds are sufficiently different, the response ratio approaches one on average, which means that the dynamic effect of the two-way train is similar to that of the one-way train. Finite element results also indicate that the averaged response ratio in the three global directions is about 1.65 when the two-way trains run at the same speed.


Author(s):  
Alan S. K. Kwan

The stiffness relationship and the distributed mass matrix for a geometrically nonlinear three dimensional straight axial element is derived for use in prestressed cablenet structures. The justification for the use of a linearised stiffness relationship is provided through a theoretical derivation. Results using this simple element have shown a high degree of correlation with results to those available in the literature obtained with more complex curved finite elements, analogous membrane models and other techniques.


Author(s):  
Hongye Gou ◽  
Wenhao Li ◽  
Siqing Zhou ◽  
Yi Bao ◽  
Tianqi Zhao ◽  
...  

The Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-speed Railway runs through a region of over 500[Formula: see text]km that is amenable to frequent winds. The strong wind and rainfall pose a great threat to the safe operation of high-speed trains. To tackle the aforementioned climate challenges, this paper investigates the dynamic response of the high-speed train-track-bridge coupling system under the simultaneous action of winds and rains for the safe operation of trains. Specifically, there are four main objectives: (1) to develop a finite element model to analyze the dynamic response of the train-track-bridge system in windy and raining conditions; (2) to investigate the aerodynamic loads posed to the train-track-bridge system by winds and rains; (3) to evaluate the effects of wind speed and rainfall intensity on the train-track-bridge system; and (4) to assess the safety of trains at different train speeds and under various wind-rain conditions. To this end, this paper first establishes a train-track-bridge model via ANSYS and SIMPACK co-simulation and the aerodynamics models of the high-speed train and bridge through FLUENT to form a safety analysis system for high-speed trains running on the bridge under the wind-rain conditions. Then, the response of the train-track-bridge system under different wind speeds and rainfall intensities is studied. The results show that the effects of winds and rains are coupled. The rule of variation for the train dynamic response with respect to various wind and rain conditions is established, with practical suggestions provided for control of the safe operation of high-speed trains.


2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 115012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaishuai Sun ◽  
Huaxia Deng ◽  
Weihua Li ◽  
Haiping Du ◽  
Yi Qing Ni ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Zhiwei Wang ◽  
Paul Allen ◽  
Guiming Mei ◽  
Zhonghui Yin ◽  
Yao Cheng ◽  
...  

To analyse and simulate the dynamic responses of the gearbox in a vehicle–track system, a three-dimensional vehicle–track coupled dynamics model for high-speed trains has been developed in this study with a comprehensive consideration of the transmission system. Using this dynamics model, the coupling effects between the gearbox housing and its connected components were analysed. Based on the dynamic results, the dynamic stress field of the gearbox housing can be obtained using the finite element methods. The model outputs were successfully validated through comparisons with field test data. Following model validation, the dynamic stress and its distribution throughout the gearbox housing were further investigated under different excitations, including track irregularities, wheel polygonal wear and flatness. The results demonstrate a significant increase in the stress levels of the oil level window aperture and the bottom face of the housing, which coincides with the location of cracks that are formed in the gearbox housing during frequent vehicle operation. While a specific case has been studied here, the proposed dynamics model can be applied to related dynamic assessments, such as vibration or suspension parameter analyses, as well as to stress analyses of any rail vehicle transmission system to guide the maintenance and design.


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