Experimental studies of load characteristics of bogie frames for 350 km/h EMUs

Abstract

In this paper,methods to measure the axle spring load, trailing arm seat lateral force and dynamic stresses of powered and non-powered bogies of a 350 km/h electrical-multi-unit (EMU) are presented. The dynamic amplitude and Hilbert transform of the sample data are used to investigate the characteristics of the forces and the stresses for the EMU running on typical sections including high-speed division, turnout zone, curves, and depot entrance. The load spectrum is then introduced to survey the amplitude level and the number of occurrence of the loads and stresses. Dynamic coefficients of the loads are compared with the recommended values in the Code UIC615-4. The effects of track irregularities and vibrations of gear boxes and motors on the loads and stresses are investigated and the measured loads are classified into six types according to effects of forces on the bogie's movement. The characteristics of the measured loads are useful to establish load conditions for laboratory tests of bogie’s fatigue assessment.