Sebastian Stichel

Modelling of suspension components in a rail vehicle dynamics context

Suspension components play key roles in the running behaviour of rail vehicles, and therefore, mathematical models of suspension components are essential ingredients of railway vehicle multi-body models. The aims of this paper are to review existing models for railway vehicle suspension components and their use for railway vehicle dynamics multi-body simulations, to describe how model parameters can be defined and to discuss the required level of detail of component models in view of the accuracy expected from the overall simulation model. This paper also addresses track models in use for railway vehicle dynamics simulations, recognising their relevance as an indispensable component of the system simulation model. Finally, this paper reviews methods presently in use for the checking and validation of the simulation model.

The results of the pantograph–catenary interaction benchmark

This paper describes the results of a voluntary benchmark initiative concerning the simulation of pantograph–catenary interaction, which was proposed and coordinated by Politecnico di Milano and participated by 10 research institutions established in 9 different countries across Europe and Asia. The aims of the benchmark are to assess the dispersion of results on the same simulation study cases, to demonstrate the accuracy of numerical methodologies and simulation models and to identify the best suited modelling approaches to study pantograph–catenary interaction. One static and three dynamic simulation cases were defined for a non-existing but realistic high-speed pantograph–catenary couple. These cases were run using 10 of the major simulation codes presently in use for the study of pantograph–catenary interaction, and the results are presented and critically discussed here. All input data required to run the study cases are also provided, allowing the use of this benchmark as a term of comparison for other simulation codes.

Assessment of train-overturning risk due to strong cross-winds

Abstract This paper describes the methodology for safety assessment related to the risk of a train overturning in strong cross-winds. As an example, this methodology is applied on the high-speed line Botniabanan being built for a maximum speed of 250 km/h in the northeast coastal region of Sweden. The process starts with a systematic identification of locations along the line having a potential high risk of overturning due to cross-winds. This is followed by a cross-disciplinary study. The first step is to estimate the probabilities of wind velocity and wind directions. The next step is aerodynamic computation of overturning forces and moments acting on relevant types of train. Further, the critical overturning wind velocity is determined by a multi-body simulation technique. Finally, the overturning accident frequency is calculated. The calculated risk is compared with generally accepted risk levels in modern train operation.

Implications of the operation of multiple pantographs on the soft catenary systems in Sweden

Trains operating with several pantographs are used in Sweden and other countries. The more complex operational conditions, however, cause additional difficulties, i.e. low quality of current collection, increased mechanical wear and electromagnetic interference, due to the poor dynamic behaviour of the system. In order to address these problems, a three-dimensional model for the computational analysis of the interaction between catenary and pantograph is presented and validated in this paper, and the dynamic behaviour of the multi-pantograph system, based on Swedish soft pantograph/catenary systems, is analysed. Parametric studies are performed to investigate cases with different distances between pantographs and with up to three pantographs in use. The relationship between dynamic performance and other parameters, i.e. the number of pantographs in use, running speed and the position of the pantographs, is studied. The results show that an appropriate distance between pantographs and a given type of catenary allow operation on the existing infrastructure with up to three pantographs while maintaining an acceptable dynamic performance at the desired speed.

Dynamics of a High-Speed Rail Vehicle Negotiating Curves at Unsteady Crosswind

Rail vehicles in everyday operation experience large lateral influences from curves and track imperfections, yielding large suspension deflections and displacements of the carbody relative to the track. Aerodynamic loads caused by crosswind may deteriorate the conditions that can result in vehicle overturning. This study investigates the influence of crosswind on a high-speed rail vehicle negotiating a curve. A multi-body simulation model of a high-speed rail vehicle is subjected to unsteady aerodynamic loads. The vehicle response is studied for different gusts, and variations of some vehicle parameters are performed.

Active lateral secondary suspension with H ∞ control to improve ride comfort: simulations on a full-scale model

In this study, a full-scale rail vehicle model is used to investigate how lateral ride comfort is influenced by implementing the H ∞ and sky-hook damping control strategies. Simulations show that significant ride comfort improvements can be achieved on straight track with both control strategies compared with a passive system. In curves, it is beneficial to add a carbody centring Hold-Off Device (HOD) to reduce large spring deflections and hence to minimise the risk of bumpstop contact. In curve transitions, the relative lateral displacement between carbody and bogie is reduced by the concept of H ∞ control in combination with the HOD. However, the corresponding concept with sky-hook damping degrades the effect of the carbody centring function. Moreover, it is shown that lateral and yaw mode separation is a way to further improve the performance of the studied control strategies.

New simulation model for freight wagons with UIC link suspension

The previous freight wagon model developed at KTH is able to explain many of the phenomena observed in tests. In some cases, however, simulated and measured running behaviour differ. Therefore, in this paper, a new simulation model is presented and validated with on-track test results. The performance of standard two-axle freight wagons is investigated. The most important parameters for the running behaviour of the vehicle are the suspension characteristics. The variation in characteristics between different wagons is large due to geometrical tolerances of the components, wear, corrosion, moisture or other lubrication. The influence of the variation in suspension characteristics and other parameters on the behaviour of the wagon on tangent track and in curves is discussed. Finally, suggestions for improvements of the system are made.

Adoption of different pantographs’ preloads to improve multiple collection and speed up existing lines

The current collection using more than one pantograph is needed in railway operation to provide power to non-electrically connected traction units and, in some cases, to reduce current density on the collector strips that heavily influences the wear on the contacting bodies. The multiple current collection may become a critical condition due to the mechanical disturbances produced on the trailing pantographs by the interaction between the first pantograph and the catenary. The present-day evolution of pantograph preload regulating systems, exploiting pressure-controlled servo-valves driven by electronic units, allows a diversification of the preloads of front and rear pantographs. In this work, a suitable solution to improve multiple pantograph collection quality is analysed by the use of a lower mean force on the leading pantograph aimed at reducing the oscillations of contact wire the trailing pantograph is subjected to. This would improve the current collection quality of the trailing pantograph, and could be pursued even admitting a slight worsening of front pantographs performances.

Vehicle dynamics of a high-speed passenger car due to aerodynamics inside tunnels

Abstract High train speeds inside narrow double-track tunnels using light car bodies can reduce the ride comfort of trains as a consequence of the unsteadiness of the aerodynamics. This fact was substantiated in Japan with the introduction of the series 300 Shinkansen trains more than a decade ago, where the train speed is very high also in relatively narrow tunnels on the Sanyo line. The current work considers the resulting effects of vehicle dynamics and ride comfort with multi-body dynamics using a model of the end car of the German high-speed train ICE 2. The present efforts are different from traditional vehicle dynamic studies, where disturbances are introduced through the track only. Here disturbances are also applied to the car body, which conventional suspension systems are not designed to cope with. Vehicle dynamic implications of unsteady aerodynamic loads from a previous study are examined. These loads were obtained with large eddy simulations based on the geometry of the ICE 2 and Shinkansen 300 trains. A sensitivity study of some relevant vehicle parameters is carried out with frequency response analysis (FRA) and time domain simulations. A comparison of these two approaches shows that results which are obtained with the much swifter FRA technique are accurate also for sizable unsteady aerodynamic loads. FRA is, therefore, shown to be a useful tool to predict ride comfort in the current context. The car body mass is found to be a key parameter for car body vibrations, where loads are applied directly to the car body. For the current vehicle model, a mass reduction of the car body is predicted to be most momentous in the vicinity of 2 Hz.

Experimental and theoretical analysis of freight wagon link suspension

Abstract Link suspension is the most prevailing suspension system for two-axle freight wagons and still frequently used for four-axle freight wagons in central and western Europe. The system design is simple and has existed for more than 100 years. However, still, the characteristics are not fully understood. This article focuses on the lateral characteristics of the link suspension. First, results from stationary measurements on freight wagons and laboratory tests on single links are presented. Then, a simulation mathematical model is proposed. Finally, the influence of various parameters on the link characteristics is investigated. With the developed simulation model, many of the stability problems of link suspension running gears can be explained, but further research is needed to fully understand the characteristics and to be able to recommend improvements. From the tests, it also becomes obvious that the characteristics of different links can vary significantly from each other depending on age and maintenance status.