Experimental and numerical investigation on the derailment of a railway wheelset with solid axle

This paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical investigation on the derailment of a railway wheelset with solid axle. Tests were carried out under quasi-steady-state conditions, on a full-scale roller rig, and allowed to point out the effect of different parameters like the wheelset's angle of attack and the ratio between the vertical loads acting on the flanging and non-flanging wheels. On the basis of the test results, some existing derailment criteria are analysed in this paper and two new criteria are proposed. A model of wheel-rail contact is proposed for the mathematical modelling of the flange climb process, and numerical vs. experimental comparisons are used to obtain model validation.     

Study on the derailment behaviour of a railway wheelset with solid axles in a railway turnout

ABSTRACT

Dynamic wheel–rail interaction in railway turnouts is more complicated than on ordinary track. In order to evaluate the derailment behaviour of railway wheelsets in railway turnouts, this paper presents a study of dynamic wheel–rail interaction during a wheel flange climbs on the turnout rails, by applying the elasticity positioning wheelset model. A numerical model is established based on a coupled finite element method and multi-body dynamics, and applied to study the derailment behaviour of a railway wheelset in both the facing and trailing directions in a railway turnout, as well as dynamic wheel–turnout rail interaction during the wheel flange climbing on the turnout rails. The influence of the wheel–rail attack angle and the friction coefficient on the dynamic derailment behaviour is investigated through the proposed model. The results show that the derailment safety for a wheelset passing the railway turnout in facing direction is significantly lower than that for the trailing direction and the ordinary track. The possibility of derailment for the wheelset passing the railway turnout in facing and trailing directions at positive wheel–rail attack angles will increase with an increase in the attack angles, and the possibility of derailment can be reduced by decreasing the friction coefficient.     

Indirect method for wheel–rail force measurement and derailment evaluation

Wheel set flange derailment criteria for railway vehicles are derived and the influence of wheel–rail contact parameters is studied. An indirect method for wheel–rail force measurement based on these derailment evaluation criteria is proposed. Laboratory tests for the calibration of strain–force devices on the bearing box are carried out to determine the relationship between the applied force and the measured strain. The simulation package, SIMPACK, is used to develop a passenger car model to generate wheel–rail forces and vibration signals. Different cases are considered in this model to provide an accurate validation of the identified wheel–rail forces. A feasibility test is conducted in the Beijing Loop test line using a passenger car equipped with a set of strain gauges on the wheel set. The comparison of the force time history applied to the instrumented wheel set and that obtained using the indirect method is presented.     

Dynamic response of the train–track–bridge system subjected to derailment impacts

Derailments on bridges, although not frequent, when occurs due to a complex dynamic interaction of the train–track–bridge structural system, are very severe. Furthermore, the forced vibration induced by the post-derailment impacts can toss out the derailed wagons from the bridge deck with severe consequences to the traffic underneath and the safety of the occupants of the wagons. This paper presents a study of the train–track–bridge interaction during a heavy freight train crossing a concrete box girder bridge from a normal operation to a derailed state. A numerical model that considers the bridge vibration, train–track interaction and the train post-derailment behaviour is formulated based on a coupled finite-element – multi-body dynamics (FE-MBD) theory. The model is applied to predict the post-derailment behaviour of a freight train composed of one locomotive and several wagons, as well as the dynamic response of a straight single-span simply supported bridge containing ballast track subjected to derailment impacts. For this purpose, a typical derailment scenario of a heavy freight train passing over a severe track geometry defect is introduced. The dynamic derailment behaviour of the heavy freight train and the dynamic responses of the rail bridge are illustrated through numerical examples. The results exhibit the potential for tossing out of the derailed trains from the unstable increase in the yaw angle signature and a lower rate of increase of the bridge deck bending moment compared to the increase in the static axle load of the derailed wheelset.     

Safety of a railway wheelset – derailment simulation with increasing lateral force

The motivation for this research is to make a comparison between dynamic results of a free railway wheelset derailment and safety limits. For this purpose, a numerical simulation of a wheelset derailment submitted to increasing lateral force is used to compare with the safety limit, using different criteria. A simplified wheelset model is used to simulate derailments with different adhesion conditions. The contact force components, including the longitudinal and spin effects, are identified in a steady-state condition on the verge of a derailment. The contact force ratios are used in a three-dimensional (3D) analytical formula to calculate the safety limits. Simulation results obtained with two contact methods were compared with the published results and the safety limit was identified with the two criteria. Results confirm Nadal’s conservative aspect and show that safety 3D analytical formula presents slightly higher safety limits for lower friction coefficients and smaller limits for high friction, in comparison with the simulation results with Fastsim.     

Effect of curved track support failure on vehicle derailment

In order to investigate the effect of curved track support failure on railway vehicle derailment, a coupled vehicle–track dynamic model is put forward. In the model, the vehicle and the structure under rails are, respectively, modelled as a multi-body system, and the rail is modelled with a Timoshenko beam rested on the discrete sleepers. The lateral, vertical, and torsional deformations of the beam are taken into account. The model also considers the effect of the discrete support by sleepers on the coupling dynamics of the vehicle and track. The sleepers are assumed to move backward at a constant speed to simulate the vehicle running along the track at the same speed. In the calculation of the coupled vehicle and track dynamics, the normal forces of the wheels/rails are calculated using the Hertzian contact theory and their creep forces are determined with the nonlinear creep theory by Shen et al [Z.Y. Shen, J.K. Hedrick, and J.A. Elkins, A comparison of alternative creep-force models for rail vehicle dynamic analysis, Proceedings of the 8th IAVSD Symposium, Cambridge, MA, 1984, pp. 591–605]. The motion equations of the vehicle/track are solved by means of an explicit integration method. The failure of the components of the curved track is simulated by changing the track stiffness and damping along the track. The cases where zero to six supports of the curved rails fail are considered. The transient derailment coefficients are calculated. They are, respectively, the ratio of the wheel/rail lateral force to the vertical force and the wheel load reduction. The contact points of the wheels/rails are in detail analysed and used to evaluate the risk of the vehicle derailment. Also, the present work investigates the effect of friction coefficient, axle load and vehicle speed on the derailments under the condition of track failure. The numerical results obtained indicate that the failure of track supports has a great influence on the whole vehicle running safety.     

Three-dimensional derailment analysis of a crashed city tram

City tram collisions are simulated using multi-body dynamics. The aim of this paper is to investigate the collision-induced derailment. Simulation results demonstrate that the corner obstacle collision scenario defined in EN 15227 is mainly focused on the energy absorption process. Due to the large impact angle (45°), it is unlikely for a city tram to comply with this scenario without derailment. In order to avoid derailment, the maximum impact angle between city tram and oblique obstacle should be reduced to 25°. Moreover, some influence factors are analysed, such as mass of loaded passengers, friction coefficient, impact angle, etc. Derailment phenomenon is shown to be significantly dependent on these parameters. Two measures are proposed to prevent the collided city tram from derailment. One is using secondary lateral dampers to absorb collision energy. Another is increasing the lateral stiffness of secondary springs as well as the lateral clearance, so that more collision energy can be stored in the suspension. With these measures, the safety against derailment can be improved.     

Three-dimensional derailment analysis of crashed freight trains

In this paper, the collision-induced derailment of freight trains was investigated. The collision between two identical freight trains occurring on a curved path rather than along a straight line was investigated. This is because from the point of view of safety against derailment this collision scenario is thought to be more critical than the scenarios defined in the European standard EN 15227. In this work, one of the trains is stationary and the other moving train collides at 36 km/h. Two kinds of container wagons were simulated. One is the two-axle freight wagon Kls 442. Another is the freight wagon Rmms 662 with two Y25 bogies. Simulation results demonstrate that in terms of safety against derailment the bogie wagon Rmms 662 was found to have better behaviour than the two-axle wagon Kls 442. In addition, this study points out that there are many contributory factors to the responses of freight wagons during a collision, such as curve radius, distance between bogie pivots and loading mass. The derailment phenomenon is less likely to occur, when freight trains collide on the curve with a larger radius. Besides that the characteristics of freight wagons with large axle loads, low centre of gravity of car body and appropriate static strength are favourable for the collided wagons in reducing the risk of derailment.     

Study of the post-derailment safety measures on low-speed derailment tests

Prevention of train from derailment is the most important issue for the railway system. Keeping derailed vehicle close to the track centreline is beneficial to minimise the severe consequences associated with derailments. In this paper, the post-derailment safety measures are studied based on low-speed derailment tests. Post-derailment devices can prevent deviation of the train from the rail by catching the rail, and they are mounted under the axle box. Considering the different structures of vehicles, both trailer and motor vehicles are equipped with the safety device and then separately used in low-speed derailment tests. In derailment tests, two kinds of track, namely the CRTS-I slab ballastless track and the CRTS-II bi-block sleeper ballastless track, are adopted to investigate the effect of the track types on the derailment. In addition, the derailment speed and the weight of the derailed vehicle are also taken into account in derailment tests. The test results indicate that the post-derailment movement of the vehicle includes running and bounce. Reducing the derailment speed and increasing the weight of the head of the train are helpful to reduce the possibility for derailments. For the CRTS-I slab ballastless track, the safety device can prevent trailer vehicles from deviating from the track centreline. The gearbox plays an important role in controlling the lateral displacement of motor vehicle after a derailment while the safety device contributes less to keep derailed motor vehicles on the track centreline. The lateral distance between the safety device and rails should be larger than 181.5?mm for protecting the fasteners system. And for the CRTS-II bi-block sleeper ballastless track, it helps to decrease the post-derailment distance due to the longitudinal impacts with sleepers. It can also restrict the lateral movement of derailed vehicle due to the high shoulders. The results suggest that, CRTS-II bi-block sleeper ballastless track should be widely used in derailment prone areas.     

A numerical study of the derailment caused by collision of a rail vehicle using a virtual testing model

This study investigated the wheel-lift and roll-over derailment mechanisms caused by train collisions using a precise virtual testing model (VTM) of a Korean high-speed train. The VTM was a complex, nonlinear finite element model composed of the shell, beam, solid, spring, and surface contact elements for the car body, bogies, suspensions, and wheel–rail interfaces. The VTM was validated by checking the errors in the total energy and the dynamic responses of the spring elements. To achieve a quick, dynamic relaxation of the dead weight of the VTM before the collision analysis, the artificial damping method and the artificial force method were introduced and numerically evaluated. The surface-to-surface contact model from commercial software, Ls-Dyna, was applied to the VTM in order to simulate the derailment mechanisms caused by collision accidents. The numerical analyses of the VTM colliding with a large deformable obstacle or a rigid wall revealed for the first time that a mixed slip/roll-over-type derailment mechanism generally occurs. Furthermore, the simulation results were consistent with the results from a simplified theoretical derailment model of a wheel set.     

The mechanism for the coupler and draft gear and its influence on safety during a train collision

A mechanical model of the coupler and draft gear was established to study the mechanism during an intercity train collision. The model includes four rigid bodies, one spherical joint, two nonlinear torsion spring units and two nonlinear hysteresis units. Simulation and test results show that the axial characteristics of the model are reasonable and the model can reasonably simulate the pitching movement of the coupler. The influence of the coupler and draft gear on the collision behaviour of the train is analysed considering a four-section intercity train. The results show that during the collision process, the amount of compression of the middle coupler is an important factor influencing the pitching deflection angle. The pitching motion posture of the coupler changes with the initial pitching deflection angle, but the initial pitching deflection angle has little effect on its yawing deflection angle. When the pitching angle of the middle coupler is elevated, as the elevation angle increases, the derailment risk of the ‘A’ end bogie of the previous vehicle increases, whereas the risk of derailment of the ‘B’ end bogie of the subsequent vehicle decreases. When the pitching angle of the middle coupler is depressed, the derailment trends for the front and rear bogies exhibit the opposite trend from that of the elevation angle. As the train collision speed increases, the pitching motion of the middle coupler is limited to forcing a yawing motion, causing the yawing deflection angle to increase sharply, which causes the wheel–rail lateral force to increase rapidly. From this, the derailment risk of the bogie increases, which further causes large displacement lateral buckling of the train. An anti-lateral buckling device can limit the yawing deflection angle of the middle coupler, preventing lateral buckling from large displacement and decreasing the risk of derailment.     

Dynamic simulations of the freight three-piece bogie motion in curve

A loaded freight vehicle with two three-piece bogies is modelled using the accessible mathematical software MATLAB. The results are compared with its corresponding ADAMS/Rail dynamic multibody simulation model, where similar derailment factors are encountered for the freight vehicle. Both models reveal that the possibility of derailment increases immediately after entering and at the end of the curve – signifying the beginning and the end of the curve as two major points for derailment. Although a three-piece bogie construction is rather simple, its mathematical model proves to be very complex and is nonlinear due to the reported frictional contact at the rail/wheel interface as well as the friction wedges. This research is stimulated by bogie derailments that have occurred in the Iranian railways as well as those in the rest of the world.     

Dynamics of railway wagons subjected to braking/traction torque

Braking or traction torque is regarded as an important source of wheelset skid and a potential source of derailment risk that adversely affects the safety levels of train operations; therefore, this research examines the effect of braking/traction torque to the longitudinal and lateral dynamics of wagons. This paper reports how train operations safety could be adversely affected due to various braking strategies. Sensitivity of wagon dynamics to braking severity is illustrated through numerical examples. The influence of wheel/rail interface friction coefficient and the effects of two types of track geometry defects on wheel unloading ratio and wagon pitch are also discussed in the paper.     

基于统计原理的铁路隧道运营期灾害类型及防灾对策研究

统计分析了83例国内外铁路隧道运营期事故资料,研究了铁路隧道运营期间主要灾害类型、原因及防灾对策。研究结果表明:1)铁路隧道运营期间主要灾害类型有火灾、列车碰撞、脱轨及衬砌剥落;2)铁路隧道运营期防灾应以隧道火灾为重点,同时兼顾列车碰撞、脱轨和隧道衬砌混凝土剥落等灾害;3)隧道内旅客列车火灾的主要原因为列车车辆关键部位故障、人为因素、列车车辆缺陷致列车碰撞或脱轨;4)依据土建设施规模及隧道结构分布特点,长大铁路隧道(群)运营期防灾模式可选择定点停车疏散救援模式、全长或局部范围内随机停车疏散救援模式;5)铁路隧道防灾涉及基础设施、铁道车辆和运输调度,应建立铁路隧道运营期灾害防范体系及预警系统,防止事故发生。     

A study on mechanical mechanism of train derailment and preventive measures for derailment

The research status of train derailment is summarized. Major problems existing in current derailment research are pointed out. By applying system dynamics stability concepts, the mechanical mechanism of train derailment is described. The theory of random energy analysis for train derailment is then further expounded and preventive measures for train derailment and a calculation method for an anti-derailment safety coefficient (of train - track time variant system) are introduced. Finally, some train derailment cases are analysed. Six train - track time variant system vibration cases are calculated, four of which derailed and two that did not. The conclusion compares the results of the theoretical analysis with that which actually occurred.     

Dynamic performance of high-speed train passing windbreak breach under unsteady crosswind

Field test and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method are conducted to investigate the safety of high-speed train under unsteady crosswind. Wheel–rail forces of high-speed train passing a breach between two windbreaks under strong crosswind are measured in a field test. The derailment coefficient of first wheelset of front car at the windward side reaches the allowable value. Meanwhile, the left and right of lateral wheel–rail force are in the opposite direction. This kind of phenomenon has not been tested before. Therefore, CFD and multi-body simulations are performed in order to study the phenomena. Good agreement is obtained between the simulation results and the experimental data. It is concluded that the sudden increase of transient aerodynamic loads, when the train passing the breach, is the root of this phenomenon; after running along the same direction as carbody and bogie run along the opposite direction during the high-speed train passing the windbreak breach; larger opposite longitudinal creeping forces of first wheelset compel the first wheelset to yaw toward the windward side; meanwhile, larger lateral wheel–rail forces compel the first wheelset to run toward the windward side rail; the left and right lateral wheel–rail forces become opposite because the right wheel impacts the windward side rail.     

Transverse Vibration of Train-Bridge and Train-Track Time Varying System and the Theory of Random Energy Analysis for Train Derailment

Summary In this paper, the fundamental problems in the calculation of transverse vibration of train-bridge and train-track time-varying system (hereinafter referred to as the system) are expounded. That is, (1) Proper solution to transverse vibration of the system cannot be obtained by establishing separate transverse vibration equation groups for the car and the bridge (or track); (2) The exciting source of transverse vibration of the system has not been made definite; (3) It is difficult to carry out the random analysis of vibration of the time varying system as the theory of the random vibration analysis for the time varying system has not been established. Our thinking and methods to solve these problems are introduced. On the above-mentioned basis, the theory of random energy analysis for train derailment is presented. The main contents of this theory are as follows: method of random energy analysis of transverse vibration of the system; geometric criterion of derailment; mechanism of derailment caused by the combined track irregularity and energy increment criterion for derailment evaluation; calculation of the entire derailing process; method of improvement of track parameters for preventing straight line speed-raise freight trains from derailment and of the calculation of the safety coefficient against derailment. This theory is used to calculate a case of freight train derailment, which corresponds to an actually occurred accident. A train in another derailment test is judged to be not derailed and its maximum vibration responses are calculated. The field test results are well responded.     

The stability mechanism and its application to heavy-haul couplers with arc surface contact

To investigate the stability mechanism of a type of heavy-haul coupler with arc surface contact, the force states of coupler were analysed at different yaw angles according to the friction circle theory and the structural characteristics of this coupler were summarised. A multi-body dynamics model with four heavy-haul locomotives and three detailed couplers was established to simulate the process of emergency braking. In addition, the coupler yaw instability was tested in order to investigate the effect of relevant parameters on the coupler stability. The results show that this coupler exhibits the self-stabilisation and less lateral force at a small yaw angle. The yaw angle of force line is less than the actual coupler yaw angle which reduces the lateral force and the critical instability. An increase in the friction coefficient of the arc contact surfaces can improve the stability of couplers. The friction coefficient needs to be increased with the increase in the maximum coupler longitudinal compressive force. The stability of couplers is significantly enhanced by increasing the secondary suspension stiffness and reducing the clearance of the lateral stopper of the locomotives. When the maximum coupler compressive force reaches 2500 kN, the required friction coefficient reduces from 0.6 to 0.35, which notably lowers the derailment risk caused by the coupler. The critical instability angle of the coupler mainly depends on the arc contact friction coefficient. When the friction coefficient is 0.3, the critical instability angle was 4–4.5°. The simulation results are consistent with the locomotive line tests. These studies establish meaningful improvements for the stability of couplers and match the heavy-haul locomotive with its suspension parameters.     

Model for dynamic behavior of the crankshaft of an air cooled diesel engine subjected to severe functioning

The dynamic behavior of the engine organs in severe conditions is complicated to identify. In this paper, the dynamic behavior of the crankshaft of the diesel engine Deutz F8L413 direct injection-type air cooled in the severe operating conditions is investigated in a 3D global model. The maximum operating characteristics of the engine are experimentally measured on a bench test equipped with a hydraulic brake. The most stressed areas of the crankshaft are determined by numerical simulations. In addition, an analysis of the fatigue behavior of the crankshaft is carried out by using two fatigues criteria. The efficiency of the model is demonstrated by comparing between the numerical results and the experimental data obtained with the natural modes of vibration test.     

Influence of creep forces on the risk of derailment of railway vehicles

The derailment mechanism in a railway vehicle is a complex mechanical phenomenon which has been, and still is, the subject of intense research activity due to the serious consequences it can entail. Since Nadal deduced his well-known formula, many researchers have put forward alternative equations which all attempt to move closer to the data obtained experimentally. This paper provides a summary of the best known and draws up a new formulation based on the theoretical 3-D study of creep forces emerging from the contact patch of the wheel likely to derail. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the role played by spin creepage, including its effect on obtaining theoretical derailment limits, which are more realistic than those obtained using Nadal's formula. Finally, a new derailment criterion is proposed. This new criterion leads to less conservative values than Nadal's equation for zero yaw angles. When the yaw angle is high enough, the results obtained are coincident with those predicted by Nadal's equation.