NTL Record

Title Computational Methods to Predict Railcar Response to Track Cross-Level Variations
Record ID 48469
Personal Name
Creator
Platin, B. E.; Beaman, J. J.; Hedrick, J. K.; Wormley, D. N.
Source 86p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Corporate
Contributor
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publisher John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publication Date 19760900
Language English
Abstract The rocking response of railroad freight cars to track cross-level variations is studied using: (1) a reduced complexity digital simulation model, and (2) a quasi-linear describing function analysis. The reduced complexity digital simulation model employs a rail truck model that neglects the high-frequency dynamics of the bolster and wheelset masses, yet includes kinematic center plate, side bearings, and wheelset nonlinear effects. This model has computation-time requirements that are less than one eighth those of more detailed computer simulation models and agrees within 15% percent for the prediction of roll angle, side bearing force, center plate force and wheel force at maximum roll angle response with the more detailed models. A study of quasi-linear describing function techniques to compute the steady-state response of freight cars to equivalent sinusoidal cross-level track variations has demonstrated the feasibility of the technique for the types of nonlinearities important in car response. This technique, which computes steady-state response from a set of nonlinear algebraic equations rather than by numerical integration, is effective for parametric studies in which a series of the responses is required as a parameter is varied incrementally since once the solution is obtained for one set of parameter values, additional responses for an incremental change in the parameter are obtained efficiently.
Rosap ID dot:10094
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10094
TRT Terms Train track dynamics; Rolling; Defects; Dynamic tests; Mathematical models; Ride quality; Rocking; Simulation
General Subjects Railcar rock and roll; Computational methods; Dynamic analysis
Classification AGR - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DOT-TS-11201; RR619/R6365
Report Number DOT-TSC-FRA-76-13; FRA-OR&D-76-293
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type In Book
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/48000/48400/48469/DOT-TSC-FRA-76-13.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository