The paper draws attention to the importance of the torsional stiffness of vehicle bodies as well as the adequacy of suspensions in limiting pseudo-static wheel load variations caused by uneven track.
The magnitude and incidence of effective twist gradients in track are considered, together with suitable criteria for vehicle design. Expressions are quoted for the evaluation of wheel load change for bogie and four-wheeled vehicles on track with continuous twist and also effective twist due to local low points. Torsional stiffness data for a range of representative vehicle bodies are given together with several numerical examples which serve to illustrate the effect of the parameters involved.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BorgeaudG.‘Weight transfer in a two-bogie locomotive and its compensation’, Convention on Adhesion1963 27th-28th Nov. (Instn Mech. Engrs, London).
2.
GladigauA.‘Investigation into the weight transfer from axles of electric locomotives with two-axle bogies’, Elektrische Bahnen1961 (July) 32 (No. 7), 143 (in German).
3.
KoffmanJ. L.BatchelorG. H.‘Effect of suspension characteristics on adhesion’, Convention on Adhesion1963 27th-28th Nov. (Instn Mech. Engrs, London).
4.
IshiharaY.‘Outline of 250 km/h test run for the New Tokaido Line’, Japan. Rly Engng1963 (Dec.) 4 (No. 4).
5.
LujnovJ. M.KossikovS. I.‘Friction on railway rails’, Convention on Adhesion1963 27th-28th Nov. (Instn Mech. Engrs, London).
6.
AndrewsH. I.‘Chemical methods of improving rail adhesion’, Convention on Adhesion1963 27th-28th Nov. (Instn Mech. Engrs, London).
7.
KeresztyP.‘Twisting capacity of railway vehicle structures’, Parts 1, 2, and 3, Acta Tech. Acad. Scient. Hungaricae195926 (Nos. 3–4), 301; 1959 27 (Nos. 3-4), 171; 1960 29 (Nos. 1-2), 3 (in French).
8.
KuniedaM.‘Theoretical study on the distribution of wheel load of two-axle railway car’, J.N.R. Quart. Kept19645 (No. 3).
9.
KoffmanJ. L.‘Laminated spring friction’, Rly Gazette1964 (3rd April), p. 279.
10.
‘Report on the derailment and consequent collision that occurred on 1st April 1963 near Weedon signalbox in the London Midland Region, British Railways’1963 (Oct.) (Ministry of Transport, London).
11.
SperlingE.PolakA.‘Schwingversuche zur Klärung des günstigsten Federungsverhältnisses von Achs-und Wiegenfederung an Minden-Deutz-Drehgestellen’, Eisenbahntechn. Rundschau1956 (Nov.).
12.
KoffmanJ. L.JarvisR. G.‘Air springs as applied to multiple unit vehicles for heavy suburban services’, J. Inst. locomotive Engrs1964 No. 295.
13.
KoffmanJ. L.‘Torsional stiffness of wagons’, Rly Gazette1963 (15th Feb.).
