High potential: lightweight optimised structural design of car bodies for railway vehicles with alternative drive systems

Abstract

Climate change and related goals and measures require a shift away from fossil fuels as an energy source. One solution for non-electrified lines for rail transport is the use of alternative drive technologies such as battery or hydrogen drive instead of diesel units. In order to use these efficiently in rail vehicles, it is imperative to make adjustments to the body structure. Existing car body structures must be adapted to integrate the space-intensive and heavy additional equipment components. Within the framework of the project AnoWaAS those with the highest lightweight construction potential are methodically identified from a large number of different derivatives of car body designs. The high influence of a force flow-compliant design on the lightweight potential is analysed in depth. Possible adapted construction methods for further exploitation of the lightweight potential are shown and analysed with regard to their potential. With the help of trapezoidal windows and the structural integration of equipment enclosures, it is possible to reduce the structural mass of a car body by more than 20%.