NTL Record

Title Documentation of deformation from passenger rail two-car impact test
Record ID 34409
Personal Name
Creator
MacNeill, Robert A; Kirkpatrick, Steven W
Source 125p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator Applied Research Associates; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration; John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development
Publication Date 20031100
Language English
Abstract The Volpe Center has been conducting research into rail equipment crashworthiness in support of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Office of Research and Development. As part of this research, full-scale crash tests of passenger cars have been performed. Subsequent detailed post-test examinations develop an improved understanding of the collapse mechanisms of the dominant structural elements as well as overall dynamic crash behavior. This knowledge can be used for interpreting test data, estimating energy dissipation during the test, developing detailed finite element models, and designing safer passenger cars. This report documents a detailed post-test inspection performed on the lead car from a full-scale test featuring two coupled passenger coach cars impacting a fixed wall at 26 mph, which was conducted on April 4, 2000. Damages to primary structural members including the draft sill, side sills, and cant rails were documented including modes and magnitude of deformation. Other secondary structural components such as the superstructure skin, belt rails, and floor were also documented.
Rosap ID dot:8846
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8846
TRT Terms Collapse; Crashworthiness; Deformation; Finite element method; Crash tests; Passenger cars; Railroad cars; Railroad safety; Railroads; Structural members; Transportation
General Subjects U.S. Federal Railroad Administration
Classification NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety;
NTL - PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Transit Safety and Security
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
1051559
Contract Number RR228/R2067
Report Number DOT-VNTSC-FRA-03-09; DOT/FRA/ORD-03/08
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/34000/34400/34409/DOT-VNTSC-FRA-03-09.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository