Train-to-Train Impact Test: Analysis of Structural Measurements

Abstract

This paper describes the results of the train-to-train impact test conducted at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado on January 31, 2002. In this test, a cab car-led train, initially moving at 30 mph, collided with a standing locomotive-led train. The initially moving train included a cab car, three coach cars, and a trailing locomotive, while the initially standing train included a locomotive and two open-top hopper cars. The hopper cars were ballasted with earth such that the two trains weighed the same, approximately 635 kips each. The cars were instrumented with strain gauges, accelerometers, and string potentiometers, to measure the deformation of critical structural elements, the longitudinal, vertical, and lateral car body accelerations, and the displacements of the truck suspensions. The test included test dummies in the operator's seat of the impacted locomotive, in forward-facing conventional commuter passenger seats in the cab car and first coach car, and in intercity passenger seats modified with lap and shoulder belts in the first coach car.During the train-to-train test, the cab car overrode the locomotive; the underframe of the cab car sustained approximately 22 feet of crush and the first three coupled connections sawtooth buckled. The short hood of the locomotive remained essentially intact, while there was approximately 12 inches of crush of the windshield center post. There was nearly no damage to the other equipment used in the test. The measured response of the trains compare closely with predictions made with simulation models.

Fullscale Two-Car Impact Test: A Comparison of Measured and Model Results

“…Examples of the models developed include: detailed three dimensional non-linear large deformation finite element crush models used to investigate the crush behavior of equipment and lumped parameter models to study the collision dynamic behavior of single cars, connected cars, and complete consists. The fidelity of the modeling approaches has been demonstrated by the close agreement of predicted responses with measurements taken from full-scale testing [1,2,3] for key test parameters.…”

“…Examples of the models developed include: detailed three dimensional non-linear large deformation finite element crush models used to investigate the crush behavior of equipment and lumped parameter models to study the collision dynamic behavior of single cars, connected cars, and complete consists. The fidelity of the modeling approaches has been demonstrated by the close agreement of predicted responses with measurements taken from full-scale testing [1,2,3] for key test parameters.As part of this research, a series of tests are being carried out to compare the crashworthiness performance of conventional equipment and the performance of improved crashworthiness equipment [4]. The measurements made during these tests also allow the refinement of analytical models.…”

Review of Severe Deformation Recommended Practice Through Analyses: Comparison of Two Cab Car End Frame Designs

“…The overall objective of this series of tests is to evaluate incremental improvements in the crashworthiness performance of modern corner post designs when compared against the performance of older designs [10,11,12]. The grade crossing tests were designed to address the concern of operator vulnerability to bulk crushing resulting from offset/oblique collisions where the primary load resisting structure is the end frame design.…”

Analysis of Colliding Vehicle Interactions for the Passenger Rail Train-to-Train Impact Test

“…These elements were constrained to move only in the longitudinal direction. Specific values used in the model were chosen to be consistent to collision dynamics models that were developed by the Volpe Center [1,8].…”