Influence of friction wedge characteristics on lateral response and hunting of freight wagons with three-piece bogies

Abstract

In this study, the nonlinear damping characteristics of friction wedges in the secondary suspension of a freight wagon are investigated considering nonsmooth unilateral contact, multiaxis motions, slip–stick conditions, and geometry of the wedges. The parameters of the contact pairs within the suspension were identified to achieve smooth and efficient numerical solutions, while ensuring adequate accuracy. A simulation model of the friction wedge was formulated and analyzed, which revealed highly nonlinear dependence on vertical, roll, and lateral motions between the bolster and the side frames. The friction wedge model was integrated into the multibody dynamic model of a three-piece bogie to study the effects of wedge properties on hunting characteristics. The resulting 114-degrees-of-freedom wagon model incorporated constraints due to side bearings, axle boxes, and the center plates, while the wheel–rail contact forces were obtained using the FASTSIM algorithm. The simulation results were obtained to study hunting properties of the wagon in terms of critical speed and the predominant oscillation frequency, and the effects of wedge friction and geometry on stability characteristics of the freight car. The results showed subcritical Hopf bifurcation of dynamic responses of the wagon. Moreover, an increase in the wedge angle, friction coefficient, and springs free length resulted in a higher critical speed.