Numerical studies of freight railcar

Abstract

In this paper static strength analysis of body and frame of the covered railcar model 11-9962 with the weight of 0.922 MN is carried out. Numerical study of freight railcar is carried out by the finite element method. Calculation model consists of plates and beams linked together at the nodal points simulating the elements of the railcar body. The main objective of the static strength analysis was to evaluate strength and bearing capacity of railcar structure and to evaluate the conformity of freight railcar structure to regulatory requirements. Typical for the static loading mode is a single and continuous application of an external load, gradually increasing from zero to the maximum value.The calculation scheme of railcar takes into account forces acting on it in operating conditions. Load modes considered are: I, III basic modes, collision and jerk mode, repair modes (when jacking up a railcar by jacks), railcar loading mode (on possibility of using electric and autoloader for loading), roof strength test. From the analysis results it follows that stresses in all body elements and frame of the covered railcar model 11-9962, for all design modes, do not exceed the permissible values, and railcar structure conforms to the current regulations. Analysis showed good agreement with the test results for strength of the prototype railcar.