Dynamic behavior of rack vehicle-track(rack) coupled system on super-large-slope bridges

Abstract

Rack railways are mainly used in mountainous areas, where inevitably, super-large-slope bridge structures appear. The dynamic behavior of the rack vehicle-track(rack) coupled system on super-large-slope bridge is rarely studied. To address this issue, a dynamic interaction model for rack vehicle-track(rack)-bridge system is established by considering the detailed dynamic meshing behavior of gear-rack and the dynamic contact behavior of the wheel-rail. On this basis, the gear-rack meshing force and the wheel-rail contact force of rack vehicles are studied under lines with varying slopes, and the dynamic behavior of the rack vehicle and the track-bridge system with a slope of 250‰ is further analyzed. Research results show that as the slope line increases, the gear and rack meshing force increases, but the wheel-rail vertical force decreases. Concurrently, the stability index of the vehicle changed considerably, and the stability of the vehicle decreases substantially. The maximum values of the vibration acceleration of the vehicle body and bridge are 0.4 m/s2 and 0.5 m/s2, respectively, meeting the requirements of the relevant standards for the vibration acceleration of the vehicle body and bridge. Further analysis reveals that the vibration of rack is mainly affected by the meshing force, and the vibration of the bridge is mainly affected by the wheel-rail force. These research results can offer a theoretical basis for the pre-design, post-operation, and maintenance of rack railways.