An innovative method for calculating diagonal lashing force of cargo on railway wagons in a curve alignment

Abstract

Due to super elevation and centrifugal force, close attention is needed to lateral stability of cargo when the train negotiates curves. To guarantee the security of cargo on wagons, proper blocking, bracing and lashing are essential. In this study, we implement a cargo–wagon–rail coupling model that adopts diagonal lashing to restrain cargo movement. A preliminary dynamic simulation analysis demonstrates that the selected cargo tilts when the wagon negotiates curves. The quasi-static analysis reveals the cargo force condition and the key role of lashing stiffness. Coupling models are endowed with various lashing stiffness values. The curving performance of each model is evaluated considering different running conditions. The results indicate that increasing lashing stiffness reduces lateral cargo vibration and increases lashing tension force until the stable state. The cargo movement in this study is proved to have no significant effect on the wheel–rail interaction. Based on simulation results, this paper determines the diagonal lashing. It is demonstrated that the use of dynamic simulation to calculate the diagonal lashing force will improve cargo stability and avoid unnecessary expenditure on load restraint assemblies. Finally, it is proved that the promotion of pre-tension force is not necessary for diagonal lashings.

KEYWORDS:

• Lateral stability
• cargo–wagon–rail coupling model
• diagonal lashing
• stiffness
• lashing tension force
• dynamic simulation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number U1834209]; the National Key Research and Development Program of China [grant number 2017YFB1200701].