Influence of train length on in-train longitudinal forces during brake application

ABSTRACT

It needs some seconds for a signal, which is created from brake application, to travel from the first part of the train system (locomotive) to the end part of it (last wagon). Delay in time of all parts of the system (train) brake is seen which might deteriorate the longitudinal dynamic interaction of the long trains. For instance, this results in running of the rear cars to the front ones and hence producing large in-train forces at the buffers and couplers. Major parts of the rolling stock in railway system repair are known for relative compression and tension forces, which are applied to the whole train system and cause huge expenses for the industry. For trains with long lengths, operating in safe area is another important relation with train forces along the system. By using MATLAB simulation in this study, we investigated the length's effect on train dynamic along the system mainly for freight trains. We did our research on the trains which are currently used in Railways of Islamic Republic of Iran, RIRI. Four diverse cases were under our simulation, in each of which, trains consist of 52, 32, 20 and 12 cars, respectively. Two different forces (tension and compression) are displayed here as of the outcome of the research. Simulations show different forms of interplays in dynamics along the system. Then we compared the graphs to each other to find out detailed influences of length of the whole system (train including different number of wagons and locomotive) on dynamics of system along it while braking is applied.

KEYWORDS:

• Train dynamics
• train longitudinal forces
• train brake application
• brake delay time
• train length
• numerical simulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Reza Serajian http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3254-282X