Coupler systems in freight trains are essential for safe operation, as they connect rail vehicles and dampen in-train forces through longitudinal suspensions. Modern rail freight uses various types of draft gears, including steel spring-friction, polymer, polymer-friction, and hydraulic draft gears. The non-linear dynamic characteristics of these draft gears are typically assessed through laboratory hammer impact tests or field collision tests, both of which are time-consuming and costly. Understanding and analysing the impact dynamics of these draft gears in freight train longitudinal impacts is crucial for safety. To address this, a three-dimensional (3D) freight train model was developed using a multibody dynamics approach to theoretically analyse draft gear performance during head-on collisions with a rigid body. Several typical draft gears were selected for simulation, and their dynamic impact performances were compared. This modeling approach provides an effective method for assessing the dynamic characteristics of draft gears.
WagnerSColeCSpiryaginM. A review on design and testing methodologies of modern freight train draft gear system. Rail Eng Science2021; 29(2): 127–151. DOI: 10.1007/s40534-021-00237-y.
2.
ColinC. In: IwnickiS. (ed) Longitudinal train dynamics, handbook of railway vehicle dynamics. Taylor & Francis: Boca Ratón, 2006.
3.
SpiryaginMColeCSunYQ, et al.Design and simulation of rail vehicles. CRC Press, 2014.
4.
ColeCSpiryaginMWuQ, et al.Modelling, simulation and applications of longitudinal train dynamics. Veh Syst Dyn2017; 55(10): 1498–1571.
5.
UyulanCArslanE. Simulation and time-frequency analysis of the longitudinal train dynamics coupled with a nonlinear friction draft gear. Nonlinear Eng2020; 9(1): 124–144.
ColeCSpiryaginMWuQ. Modelling complex series combinations of draft gear springs. In: Advances in Dynamics of Vehicles on Roads and Tracks: Proceedings of the 26th Symposium of the International Association of Vehicle System Dynamics, IAVSD 2019. Gothenburg, Sweden: Springer International Publishing, 2020, pp. 591–598.
8.
ChenCHanMHanY. A numerical model for railroad freight car-to-car end impact. Discrete Dynam Nat Soc2012; 2012.
9.
LeiCLiuJDongL, et al. Influence of draft gear modeling on dynamics simulation for heavy-haul train. Shock Vib. 2019; 2019(1): 2547318.
ColeCSpiryaginMSunYQ, et al. A study of starting dynamics in heavy haul trains. 23rd international symposium on dynamics of vehicles on roads and tracks (IAVSD 2013). IAVSD, 2013, pp. 19–23.
12.
ColeCSpiryaginMWuQ, et al.Practical modelling and simulation of polymer draft gear connections. In: First International Conference on Rail Transportation 2017. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2017, pp. 413–423.
BossoNMagelliMRossi BartoliL, et al.The influence of resistant force equations and coupling system on long train dynamics simulations. Proc Inst Mech Eng F J Rail Rapid Transit2022; 236(1): 35–47.
15.
XuZWuQLuoS, et al.Stabilizing mechanism and running behavior of couplers on heavy haul trains. Chin J Mech Eng2014; 27(6): 1211–1218.
16.
NasrAMohammadiS. The effects of train brake delay time on in-train forces. Proc Inst Mech Eng F J Rail Rapid Transit2010; 224(6): 523–534.
17.
MickoskiHMickoskiIDjidrovM, et al.Mathematical model of new type of train buffer made of polymer absorber—determination of dynamic impact curve for different temperatures. Machines2018; 6(4): 47.
18.
YadavOPVyasNS. A dynamic model for polymer draft gears. In: International Conference on Vibration Engineering and Technology of Machinery. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2021, pp. 423–437.
19.
YadavOPVyasNS. The influence of AAR coupler features on estimation of in-train forces. Rail Eng Science2023; 31(3): 233–251.
20.
YadavOPVyasNS. Influence of slack of automatic AAR couplers on longitudinal dynamics and jerk behaviour of rail vehicles. Veh Syst Dyn2023; 61(9): 2317–2337.
21.
GaoGJChenWZhangJ, et al.Analysis of longitudinal forces of coupler devices in emergency braking process for heavy haul trains. J Cent South Univ2017; 24(10): 2449–2457.
22.
EckertJJTeodoroÍPTeixeiraLH, et al.A fast simulation approach to assess draft gear loads for heavy haul trains during braking. Mech Base Des Struct Mach2023; 51(3): 1606–1625.
23.
ColeCSunYQ. Simulated comparisons of wagon coupler systems in heavy haul trains. Proc Inst Mech Eng F J Rail Rapid Transit2006; 220(3): 247–256.
24.
ShimanovskyAOSakharauPAKuzniatsovaMG. Research of the modern absorbing apparatus power characteristics influence on the freight train inter-car forces. In IOP Conf Ser: mater Sci Eng, Research of the modern absorbing apparatus power characteristics influence on the freight train inter-car forces (Vol. 985, p. 012027). IOP Publishing; 2020.
25.
PrabhakaranATrentRSharmaV. Impact performance of draft gears in 263,000 pound gross rail load and 286,000 pound gross rail load tank car service. In: DOT/FRA/ORD-06/16, U.S. Department of transportation, federal railroad administration, office of research and development, 1120 Vermont avenue, NW, MS-20, 2006.
ChouMXiaXKayserC. Modelling and model validation of heavy-haul trains equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic brake systems. Control Eng Pract2007; 15(4): 501–509.
28.
SunYWuQSpiryaginM, et al.Determination of dynamic characteristics of draft gears of heavy haul train using collision simulations. CQUniversity, 2015. https://hdl.handle.net/10018/1042015
29.
SunVQCLangCSunYQ. Multi-body dynamic modelling and simulations for train crashworthiness design analysis. Aust J Mech Eng2023; 23: 378–390.
