Influence of Fastener Failure on Dynamic Performance of Subway Vehicle

Abstract

The track fasteners may be damaged by fatigue and impact load during long-term subway operation, resulting in the failure of the connecting components between the rail and the track plate, and the spacing of rail support becomes larger, resulting in an increase in its dynamic deformation, affecting the subway vehicle’s running performance, and, in severe cases, endangering the vehicle’s running safety. A vehicle-subway track system model was created to study the running performance of subway vehicles when fasteners failed. A multi-rigid, body spring damping system is used to describe the vehicle system. The model for the track system is created using the finite element method (FEM), and the vehicle dynamic performances under various fastener failure scenarios are calculated, as well as the vehicle’s running comfort and safety in various scenarios. The findings show that fastener failure has little impact on the vehicle’s running comfort but it has a significant impact on the vehicle’s wheel unloading ratio.