Xue, X., Schmid, F. and Smith, R.A. (2004) A study of modelling approaches for rail vehicle collision behaviour. International Journal of Crashworthiness, 9 (5). pp. 515-525. ISSN 1358-8265 (Print), 1754-2111 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1533/ijcr.2004.0307)

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Abstract

A rigid wall model has been used widely in the numerical simulation of rail vehicle impacts. Finite element impact modelling of rail vehicles is generally based on a half-width and full-length or half-length structure, depending on the symmetry. The structure and components of rail vehicles are normally designed to cope with proof loading to ensure adequate ride performance. In this paper, the authors present a study of a rail vehicle with driving cab focused on improving the modelling approach and exploring the intrinsic structural weaknesses to enhance its crashworthiness. The underpinning research used finite element analysis and compared the behaviour of the rail vehicle in different impact scenarios. It was found that the simulation of a rigid wall impact can mask structural weaknesses; that even a completely symmetrical impact may lead to an asymmetrical result; that downward bending is an intrinsic weakness of conventional rail vehicles and that a rigid part of the vehicle structure, such as the body bolster, may cause uncoordinated deformation and shear fracture between the vehicle sections. These findings have significance for impact simulation, the full-scale testing of rail vehicles and rail vehicle design in general.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	rail vehicle collision, modelling of rail accident, crashworthiness, rail cab collapse
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics
Pre-2014 Departments:	School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for Numerical Modelling & Process Analysis School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for Numerical Modelling & Process Analysis > Computational Mechanics & Reliability Group School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences > Department of Mathematical Sciences
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 09:02
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/1064

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