Dynamic simulation of a heavy-haul freight car under abnormal braking application on tangent and curve

Abstract

Couples of heavy-haul freight cars are simulated, using a 62-degree-of-freedom multi-body model developed on Simpack®, running on both tangent track and circular curve under different conditions. A benchmark simulation running at a speed of 70 km/h is set up, and then, different breaking scenarios with 2.5 kN, 5 kN, 7.5 kN and 10 kN of abnormal braking force application are simulated. In this paper, the effect of forces acting on the wheel–rail interface is compared using the derailment coefficient (L/V) and the material wear, defined by energy dissipation (Tγ). For the double-wagon setup placed in various positions along the train, the simulations run under no braking and abnormal braking conditions, where the braking force acts in only one of the wheels of the wheelset. This condition leads to an increase of up to 18% in L/V in one curve and up to 17% of reduction on the curve in the other direction. The wear increases 68% and decreases 71%, depending on the direction of the curve. These effects haven't been associated with longitudinal dynamic effects in previous studies, including in-car shocks and traction forces.