Analysis of Train Car-Body Comfort Zonal Distribution by Random Vibration Method

Abstract

With the increase in train speeds on high-speed railways, the excitation frequency of track irregularities increases, which has a negative impact on train comfort and opposes the passengers’ desire for high ride comfort. In addition, the uncertainty of train comfort results from the stationary randomness of track irregularities and the different zonal distribution in the car body. Therefore, the application of the stationary random vibration method to analyze the zonal distribution of train comfort and the relevant influencing factors is important to guarantee the passengers’ comfortable experience in each ride and to provide a theoretical basis for comfort optimization. First, the train was modeled using eight independent vehicle elements. Second, the pseudo-excitation method was applied to obtain the theoretical zonal distribution of the Sperling index, an indicator of comfort, via the linearity of the power spectrum density of train acceleration. Third, considering various factors affecting train comfort, the results were compared with those calculated using the Monte Carlo method. It was found that the most comfortable area was located slightly in the front of the center of the car body. Improving track irregularities and reasonably controlling the speed of a train will increase the train’s comfort, while it will deteriorate with a loss in car-body mass and damage to the secondary suspension system.