A data-driven dynamics simulation framework for railway vehicles

The finite element (FE) method is essential for simulating vehicle dynamics with fine details, especially for train crash simulations. However, factors such as the complexity of meshes and the distortion involved in a large deformation would undermine its calculation efficiency. An alternative method, the multi-body (MB) dynamics simulation provides satisfying time efficiency but limited accuracy when highly nonlinear dynamic process is involved. To maintain the advantages of both methods, this paper proposes a data-driven simulation framework for dynamics simulation of railway vehicles. This framework uses machine learning techniques to extract nonlinear features from training data generated by FE simulations so that specific mesh structures can be formulated by a surrogate element (or surrogate elements) to replace the original mechanical elements, and the dynamics simulation can be implemented by co-simulation with the surrogate element(s) embedded into a MB model. This framework consists of a series of techniques including data collection, feature extraction, training data sampling, surrogate element building, and model evaluation and selection. To verify the feasibility of this framework, we present two case studies, a vertical dynamics simulation and a longitudinal dynamics simulation, based on co-simulation with MATLAB/Simulink and Simpack, and a further comparison with a popular data-driven model (the Kriging model) is provided. The simulation result shows that using the legendre polynomial regression model in building surrogate elements can largely cut down the simulation time without sacrifice in accuracy.     

Sensitivity of train stochastic dynamics to long-term evolution of track irregularities

The influence of the track geometry on the dynamic response of the train is of great concern for the railway companies, because they have to guarantee the safety of the train passengers in ensuring the stability of the train. In this paper, the long-term evolution of the dynamic response of the train on a stretch of the railway track is studied with respect to the long-term evolution of the track geometry. The characterisation of the long-term evolution of the train response allows the railway companies to start off maintenance operations of the track at the best moment. The study is performed using measurements of the track geometry, which are carried out very regularly by a measuring train. A stochastic model of the studied stretch of track is created in order to take into account the measurement uncertainties in the track geometry. The dynamic response of the train is simulated with a multibody software. A noise is added in output of the simulation to consider the uncertainties in the computational model of the train dynamics. Indicators on the dynamic response of the train are defined, allowing to visualize the long-term evolution of the stability and the comfort of the train, when the track geometry deteriorates.     

Dynamic model for automotive side impact crashes

A rigid body model to represent a side impact crash is constructed using five degrees-of-freedom (dof) for the vehicle and three dof for each occupant in the vehicle. Nonlinear stiffness and damping elements and the presence of physical gaps between several components make the model highly nonlinear. The model is validated using experimental crash test data from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. To simplify the parameter identification process and reduce the number of parameters to be identified at each stage, a two-step process is adopted in which the vehicle is first assumed to be unaffected by the presence of the occupants, and its model parameters are identified. Subsequently, the parameters in the occupant models are identified.

The active set method with a performance index that includes both the L₂ and L_∞ norms is used for parameter identification. A challenge is posed by the fact that the optimisation problem involved is non-convex. To overcome this challenge, a large set of random initial values of parameter estimates is generated and the optimisation method is applied with all these initial conditions. The values of parameters that provide the minimal performance index from the entire set of initial conditions are then chosen as the best parameter values. The optimal parameters values thus identified are shown to significantly improve the match between the model responses and the experimentally measured sensor signals from the NHTSA crash test.     

Validation of vehicle dynamics simulation models – a review

In this work, a literature survey on the validation of vehicle dynamics simulation models is presented. Estimating the dynamic responses of existing or proposed vehicles has a wide array of applications in the development of vehicle technologies, e.g. active suspensions, controller design, driver assistance systems, etc. Although simulation environments, measurement tools and mathematical theories on vehicle dynamics are well established, the methodical link between the experimental test data and validity analysis of the simulation model is still lacking. This report presents different views on the definition of validation, and its usage in vehicle dynamics simulation models.     

高速公路护栏结构防撞特性的计算机仿真研究

针对高速公路的波形防护栏,在材料总重量保持不变的情况下,研究不同结构形式下撞击特性,通过计算机对撞击过程的进行动态仿真,对小型乘用车与波形护栏的撞击轨迹和能量吸收进行了分析,结果显示出2半波与4半波防护栏在撞击能量的吸收方面存在较大差异,其结论对防护栏的制造和设计提供依据.     

汽车侧面碰撞计算机仿真方法

应用VPG／ETA软件,按照欧洲侧面碰撞法规ECE R95。对某国产轿车进行了汽车侧面碰撞计算机模拟仿真。通过比较,仿真结果与试验结果基本一致。     

乘用车正面碰撞性能优化仿真研究

本文以某车型为例,利用Pam-Crash这一专业碰撞分析软件进行了正面碰撞仿真优化研究,提出了正面碰撞的评价指标,分别从纵梁能量吸收、B柱加速度、防火墙侵入量等方面着手,研究优化方案,仿真结果表明,改进方案有效提升了正面碰撞性能。     

东风某客车侧翻仿真研究

建立了东风汽车公司某客车车身有限元模型,并通过模态仿真计算,初步验证该模型的有效性。在此基础上对该车型进行了侧翻仿真模拟,并参考国标相关法规对该客车结构安全性进行了评估。根据仿真结果,提出了对该客车结构的改进建议,并通过改进后的仿真模拟分析,进一步验证了结构改进能有效地降低该客车侧翻时的侧围变形,从而提高车内乘客的安全性。     

汽车前部保险杠的耐撞性及结构优化方法

根据目前国产车保险杠耐撞性现状,结合江苏丹阳市车船装饰件有限公司的保险杠耐撞性项目,在LS-DYNA中对摆锤撞击保险杠进行了仿真分析。通过对保险杠的壁厚及其中部的两弧半径进行结构优化,提高了保险杠的耐撞能力,为日后保险杠的设计与开发提供了有价值的参考。     

Optimisation of lateral car dynamics taking into account parameter uncertainties

Simulation studies on an active all-wheel-steering car show that disturbance of vehicle parameters have high influence on lateral car dynamics. This motivates the need of robust design against such parameter uncertainties. A specific parametrisation is established combining deterministic, velocity-dependent steering control parameters with partly uncertain, velocity-independent vehicle parameters for simultaneous use in a numerical optimisation process. Model-based objectives are formulated and summarised in a multi-objective optimisation problem where especially the lateral steady-state behaviour is improved by an adaption strategy based on measurable uncertainties. The normally distributed uncertainties are generated by optimal Latin hypercube sampling and a response surface based strategy helps to cut down time consuming model evaluations which offers the possibility to use a genetic optimisation algorithm. Optimisation results are discussed in different criterion spaces and the achieved improvements confirm the validity of the proposed procedure.     

高速公路半刚性护栏端头研究

从高速公路交通事故的统计资料出发,分析了汽车与高速公路护栏端头碰撞事故原因,利用有限元方法对半刚性波形护栏端头进行仿真模拟试验,根据研究结果进一步提出护栏端头的方法,从而降低事故对乘员的损伤程度.     

某轿车侧面碰撞有限元仿真模拟

为了有效地降低交通事故所带来的严重后果,我国政府将碰撞保护法规作为强制性检测内容。文章采用试验与计算机仿真相结合的方式,从结构和能量变化2个方面,对试验结果和计算机仿真结果进行了比较和分析,结果表明二者符合较好．证明了仿真结果是真实可信的。指出碰撞仿真分析是确保车辆拥有良好碰撞性能的一种重要方法,与实车碰撞试验结果相比,吻合较好。     

薄壁直梁件碰撞诱导变形模拟分析

采用LS-DYNA软件对某薄壁直梁件开设的8种诱导结构进行碰撞仿真研究。分析了不同诱导结构对薄壁直梁件压溃模式、载荷变化和能量吸收情况的影响。初步认为,不加诱导结构时薄壁直梁件的变形模式不稳定;薄壁直梁件在轴向压溃过程,对侧壁上的孔不敏感;侧壁上诱导槽的开设形式对薄壁直梁件压溃影响较大。     

汽车偏置碰撞安全性结构改进

应用Hypermesh和Pam-Crash软件建立整车有限元模型,按照C-NCAP试验要求分别进行整车正面碰撞和40%偏置碰撞仿真。通过仿真结果与试验结果B柱加速度曲线的对比分析,验证整车模型的正确性和可靠性,同时根据仿真结果评估车身结构偏置碰撞安全性能,对结构进行改进。改进后整车偏置碰撞性能得以提升。     

薄壁梁碰撞仿真中时间步长问题的研究

车辆碰撞中对碰撞能量吸收起重要作用的典型截面的薄壁梁进行了碰撞性能的有限元仿真.并与试验结果进行了比较,验证了模型的准确性。然后用此有限元模型对碰撞仿真中时间步长问题进行了研究,有效提高了计算效率。     

某雷达配套中频电站并联运行电路设计

根据雷达供电要求,采用自动同步器、负荷分配器和调速控制器等控制器件设计了机组并联运行控制电路,试验结果表明,该控制系统操作简单,运行稳定可靠,达到了设计要求。     

高速公路中央分隔带易开型防撞活动护栏碰撞仿真

针对目前国内高速公路中央分隔带开口处活动护栏所存在的安全隐患,提出了一种中央分隔带活动护栏型式,并建立了新型活动护栏的有限元模型。基于HYPERMESH与LS-DYNA软件平台,以HYPERMESH进行前处理,LS-DYNA作为求解器,采用1.5 t皮卡车和10 t货车的有限元模型,分别以侧向碰撞角度20°、速度100 km/h和碰撞角度20°、速度60 km/h为碰撞条件进行了汽车-护栏碰撞仿真。仿真结果表明,该活动护栏满足160 kJ碰撞能量的Am级防撞要求;三向加速度均不大于规定值20 g,最大动态横向位移均小于规定值1.5 m。此新型高速公路中央分隔带活动护栏可以有效地阻挡车辆,并且对车辆具有导向性,使车辆回到正确的行驶方向,在保障乘员安全同时还能减少对车辆的损坏。     

Model reduction in vehicle dynamics using importance analysis

Previous work by the authors developed a novel model reduction method, namely importance analysis, that offered a unique set of properties: concurrent dynamic and kinematic reduction, applicability to nonlinear systems, preservation of realisation, and trajectory dependence. This paper investigates the utility of importance analysis as a model reduction tool within the context of vehicle dynamics. To this end, a high-fidelity model of a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is considered, and this model is reduced for three different scenarios. Reduction is achieved in both dynamics and kinematics while preserving the original definition and interpretation of state variables and parameters. Furthermore, the resulting reduced models are very different in terms of complexity, containing only what is necessary for their respective scenarios, and providing important insight and computational savings. The conclusion is that importance analysis can be an invaluable reduction tool in vehicle dynamics, offering the aforementioned unique set of properties.