On minimizing derailment risks and consequences for passenger trains at higher speeds

Abstract

The first part of this article deals with the possibility of preventing wheel climbing derailments after an axle journal failure by implementing mechanical restrictions between the wheelsets and the bogie. A multi-body system (MBS) computer model is developed to account for such an axle failure condition, which is successfully validated by comparing the pre-derailment sequence of events with two authentic cases. An extensive parameter analysis on the maximum vertical and longitudinal play between the wheelset and the bogie, required to prevent a high-speed power or trailer car to derail, is performed for various combinations of running conditions in curves.

Once an actual derailment has occurred on conventional passenger trains at 200 km/h, extensive MBS simulations are performed on the feasibility of utilizing alternative substitute guidance mechanisms, such as low-reaching parts of bogie frame, axle box, or brake disc, as means of minimizing the lateral deviation. Results are presented in terms of geometrical parameters that lead to a successful engagement with the rail for a total of 12 different derailment scenarios. These are caused by an axle journal failure, an impact with a small object on the track, or a high rail failure. Minimizing the lateral deviation is also investigated by means of restraining the maximum coupler yaw angle and altering the bogie yaw stiffness. Time-domain simulations are also performed in terms of lateral track forces and derailment ratio when negotiating a tight horizontal ‘S-curve’. Further, the articulated train concept is investigated in terms of the post-derailment vehicle behaviour after derailments on tangent and curved track at a speed of 200 km/h. In this respect, a trainset consisting of one power car and four articulated passenger trailer cars is modelled in the MBS software. Results in terms of lateral deviation and maximum carbody roll angle are presented as a function of different inter-carbody damper characteristics and running gear features. The feasibility of these damper characteristics is also tested in terms of lateral track forces and derailment ratio when negotiating a tight horizontal S-curve.

Keywords

railway safety derailment guidance lateral deviation bogie vehicle model multi-body system simulation

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Tolérus

Consequence analysis of axle failure on X2 (in Swedish: Konsekvensanalys av axelbrott på X2) MTM 98–06, 1998 SJ Maskindivisionen Teknikenheten (not public), Sweden.

Brabie

Andersson

‘An overview of some high-speed train derailments: Means of minimizing consequences based on empirical observations’

Proc. IMechE, Part F: J. Rail and Rapid Transit 222 F4 (2008): 441–463 DOI: 10.1243/09544097JRRT149.

Brabie

Andersson

Robust safety systems for trains – can running gear prevent catastrophic derailments? In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Railway bogies and running gears, Budapest, 13-16 September 2004, pp 325–334.

SJ Investigation Report. Derailment on the tierp – orrskog section 2001–09-08 (in Swedish: Urspårning på sträckan Tierp – Orrskog 2001–09-08), SJ AB Trafiksäkerhet, Sweden, 2001.

SJ Investigation Report. Axle failure on the Mölnbo – Gnesta section 2001–09-10 on train 437 (in Swedish: Axelbrott på sträckan Mölnbo – Gnesta 2001–09-10 i tåg 437), SJ AB Trafiksäkerhet, Sweden, 2001.

Persson

‘Using GENSYS.0603, DEsolver, Östersund’ 2006.

Iwnicki

The Manchester benchmarks for rail vehicle simulations. Swets & Zeitlinger B.V. Lisse 1999.

Kufver

Optimization of horizontal alignments for railways – procedures involving evaluation of dynamic vehicle response (2000) Doctoral thesis, TRITA-FKT report 2000:47, KTH Railway Technology, Stockholm 2000.

Brabie

‘Wheel–sleeper impact model in rail vehicle analysis’

J. Syst. Des. Dyn. 13 (2007): 468–480

10.

Whirley

R G

Hallquist

A nonlinear explicit three-dimensional finite element code for solid and structural mechanics. User Manual, Report UCRL-MA-107254, LLNL, Livermore, CA, USA 1991.

11.

Brabie

Andersson

‘Post-derailment dynamic simulations of rail vehicles – methodology and applications’

Veh. Syst, Dyn. 46 S1 & 2 (2008): 289–300

12.

UIC. Testing and approval of railway vehicles from the point of view of their dynamic behaviour – safety, track fatigue, ride quality. Code 518 OR, 3rd edition, Paris, October 2005.

13.

CEN. Railway applications – testing for the acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles – testing of running behaviour and stationary tests. EN 14363, Brussels, June 2005.

14.

von Bahr

‘Smallest curve radii for SJ AB vehicles (in Swedish

Minsta kurvradie för SJ AB fordon). TS1271–1037-01-RES, Interfleet Technology Sweden 2006.