Full-Scale Experiment for Assessing Static Structural and Damping Response of UIC Parabolic Leaf Springs

Abstract

Over the years, leaf springs have been applied in freight train wagons' systems. Parabolic leaf springs have offered greater guarantees in terms of safety and drivability than classic leaf springs. These leaf springs have intrinsic characteristics that are more attractive, such as lower friction and higher specific energy storage capacity.In this research, an extensive characterization of UIC parabolic leaf springs is made according to the UIC standard compliance tests. Several types of monitoring devices are used to gather the reaction forces, displacements, relative displacements between leaves in contact, and surface strains.The outcomes permitted to validation of the numerical model and the suggested approaches.