Influence of wheelset rotational motion on train collision response and wheelset lift mechanism

ABSTRACT

When a train is in a nonbraking state during an actual collision, the wheelset rotational movement aggravates the wheel–rail impact and increases the wheel lift and risk of overriding. Based on the principle of equal initial collision kinetic energy, the idea of using wheelset translation instead of rotation is proposed. Moreover, the calculation formula for a mass equivalent coefficient is deduced. From the perspective of the dynamic transmission relationship between the car body, bogie, and wheelset, the mechanism of the wheelset lift are investigated. The research results show that without considering the rotational kinetic energy of wheelset, the difference of collision response can be effectively reduced by increasing the translational mass of wheelset by 10%. The vertical speed lift displacement and inclined lift displacement of the bogie have the largest contribution to the wheel lift. When the wheelset rotation is not considered, the wheel lift is significantly reduced.

KEYWORDS:

• Train collision
• simulation analysis
• wheelset rotation
• collision response
• mass equivalent coefficient
• wheel lift mechanism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China(52172409); Sichuan Outstanding Youth Fund [2022JDJQ0025];