Collision behaviour of crashworthy vehicles in rakes

Abstract

An analytical investigation of the collision behaviour of crashworthy vehicles in rakes has been carried out. A dynamic simulation program for analysing large plastic deformation has been developed. A collision model comprising two identical JUNIPER trains, Alstom's new developed modular train, is presented, and a detailed dynamic simulation study is made to determine the energy absorption over the two collapsing trains. Calculation results confirm that the crashworthiness design of the JUNIPER vehicles is adequate. A comparison between the British Railway Group standard structure design and the JUNIPER structure design was carried out to justify the design difference. Further improvement of the crashworthiness design is also discussed and is being applied to the new vehicle design.