Abstract

This study aimed to investigate energy dissipation in train collisions. A 1/8 scaled train model, about one-dimensional in longitudinal direction, was used to carry out a scaled train collision test. Corresponding multibody dynamic simulations were conducted using traditional and improved method model (IMM) in ADAMS. In IMM, the connection between two adjacent cars was expressed by a nonlinear spring and energy absorbing structures were equivalently represented by separate forces, instead of one force. IMM was able to simulate the motion of each car and displayed the deformation of structures at both ends of the cars. IMM showed larger deformations and energy absorption of structures in moving cars than those in stationary cars. Moreover, the asymmetry in deformation proportion in main energy absorbing structures decreased with increasing collision speed. The asymmetry decreased from 11.69% to 3.60% when the collision speed increased from 10 km/h to 36 km/h.

Highlights

  • The finite element (FE) method is increasingly used to study the large elastic-plastic deformation problems in train collisions

  • Total deformations between adjacent cars were obtained in traditional method model (TMM); their location names are identical between Table 3 and improved method model (IMM)

  • Two trains are symmetric with the collision interface, the deformation and energy absorption of structures in the moving car are larger than those in the stationary car

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Summary

Introduction

The finite element (FE) method is increasingly used to study the large elastic-plastic deformation problems in train collisions. Featherstone discussed a method of positive/inverse dynamics and contacts for open/closed loop multi-rigid-body systems collision [4]. Likins proposed the hybrid coordinate method to build floating flexible-body coordinate systems, with the location and shape of flexible body considered to be a combination of rigid-body’s large global motion and elastic deformation relative to the synthetic floating coordinate [5]. Ahmed studied the flexible multibody system with large deformation by using absolute coordinates [6]. Jacobsen used one- and three-dimensional multibody dynamic models for his studies and proposed collision energy management (CEM) to reduce secondary damage [9].

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