The Influence of Train Type, Car Weight, and Train Length on Passenger Train Crashworthiness

Priante, Michelle; Tyrell, David; Periman, B.

doi:10.1115/rtd2005-70042

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As part of the rail passenger equipment crashworthiness research, studies have been conducted to evaluate the influence of operational factors in train-to-train collisions [19,20,21]. These studies show that CEM cars can be introduced into service with minimum risks and with great potential benefit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparations for a train-to-train impact test of crash-energy management passenger rail equipment

Tyrell¹,

Jacobsen²,

Parent³

2005

Proceedings of the 2005 ASME/IEEE Joint Rail Conference, 2005.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Preparations are ongoing for a full-scale train-to-train impact test of crash-energy management (CEM) equipment, during which a cab car-led passenger consist, initially moving at 30 mph, will impact a standing locomotive-led consist. The colliding consists will be of approximately equal masses. This test is planned for November 2005.The purpose of the full-scale testing program is to define the crashworthiness performance of conventional and CEM passenger equipment. In the train-to-train test of conventional equipment, the lead cab car crushed by nearly 22 feet and overrode the standing locomotive. In the train-to-train test of CEM equipment, the leading end of the impacting cab car is expected to crush by approximately 3 feet and distribute crush to the successive car interfaces. The consist is expected to remain in-line, with no lateral buckling and override modes of deformation. This paper describes the steps being taken to develop a CEM cab car crush zone design, based upon the recently developed and tested coach car crush zone design. The components required for an effective CEM cab car design include a push-back coupler, energy absorbing elements, a crushable anti-climber to manage the interaction with the locomotive, and a cage for preserving the operator's space. Preliminary predictions of the dynamic response of the two consists include the distribution of crush among the cars in the train and the decelerations of the cars. These predictions are compared with the measurements made during the conventional train-to-train test.While the CEM design preserves occupant volume, the secondary impact velocities in the lead cab car and the first coach car may be more severe. Five occupant experiments will be included on the cab car and first coach car of the full-scale train-to-train impact test to ensure that the occupants are protected during the collision. These occupant experiments will include modified versions of forward-facing intercity seats, forward-and rear-facing commuter seats, and facing commuter seats with intervening workstation tables.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparations for a train-to-train impact test of crash-energy management passenger rail equipment

Tyrell¹,

Jacobsen²,

Parent³

2005

Proceedings of the 2005 ASME/IEEE Joint Rail Conference, 2005.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An explicit FEA of the locomotive collision was performed using ABAQUS/Explicit [9,10]. An FEA model was developed to evaluate the performance of the design of a crush zone for an existing passenger rail cab car in [11,12]. A full-rail vehicle explicit finite element model using FEA package LS-DYNA was applied to carry out the train crashworthiness analysis [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling and analysis of the crush zone of a typical Australian passenger train

Sun

Cole

Dhanasekar

et al. 2012

Vehicle System Dynamics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper, a three-dimensional nonlinear rigid body model has been developed for the investigation of the crashworthiness of a passenger train using the multibody dynamics approach. This model refers to a typical design of passenger cars and train constructs commonly used in Australia. The highenergy and low-energy crush zones of the cars and the train constructs are assumed and the data are explicitly provided in the paper. The crash scenario is limited to the train colliding on to a fixed barrier symmetrically. The simulations of a single car show that this initial design is only applicable for the crash speed of 35 km/h or lower. For higher speeds (e.g. 140 km/h), the crush lengths or crush forces or both the crush zone elements will have to be enlarged. It is generally better to increase the crush length than the crush force in order to retain the low levels of the longitudinal deceleration of the passenger cars.

show abstract

“…FRA may then propose alternative design strategies to better protect the occupied space of passengers and crewmembers and limit the forces that they are subjected to as they ride out a collision or derailment. In addition to developing alternative design strategies, effectiveness studies were also conducted to demonstrate the potential safety benefits for incremental inclusion of structural and/or interior crashworthiness features [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crush Analyses of Multi-Level Equipment

Martinez

Zolock

Tyrell

2006

Rail Transportation

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Non-linear large deformation crush analyses were conducted on a multi-level cab car typical of those in operation by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) in California. The motivation for these analyses was a collision, which occurred in Placentia, CA, on April 23, 2002. The final deformed state of the leading cab car was unusual. This behavior contrasted with previous testing and analysis experience of single level equipment in collisions. This investigation explores the structural response of multi-level car structures.The structure of the multi-level equipment differs from single level equipment in that a significant change occurs in the load path from where load enters through the coupler and is subsequently reacted aft of the body bolster of the car. This change in load path results from a change in geometry of the car to accommodate quarter point doors and the upper level of the car. Load enters at the typical coupler height but descends to the lower platform level of the car through a transition structure.To better understand the influence of the varied geometry, a series of calculations were performed to obtain the force-crush characteristics and modes of deformation for the cab car subjected to a series of different initial conditions. Crush models were developed of both the lead and trailing end of the car, as well as the center section of the car. In addition to these sub-models, a full car model was constructed.Results from the sub-model analyses indicate that the longitudinal strength of the trailing end is comparable to that of the lead end, and the center section of the car is significantly stronger than either end. This suggests that crush will most likely occur at the ends of the car when it is overloaded. Initial conditions similar to the Placentia, CA accident were also investigated to better understand the atypical mode of deformation that occurred. These results indicated that the multi-level equipment can resist high force levels for longer crush distances than single level platform vehicles but will eventually experience softening behavior, which will result in focused crush at one end of a car.

show abstract

The Influence of Train Type, Car Weight, and Train Length on Passenger Train Crashworthiness

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Preparations for a train-to-train impact test of crash-energy management passenger rail equipment

Preparations for a train-to-train impact test of crash-energy management passenger rail equipment

Modelling and analysis of the crush zone of a typical Australian passenger train

Crush Analyses of Multi-Level Equipment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About