Scaled tests and numerical simulations of rail vehicle collisions for various train sets

Abstract

This paper investigates the energy absorption and dissipation pattern in train-to-train collisions. For this purpose, simplified scaled rail vehicle models were designed based on the energy-absorbing characteristics of honeycomb-based structures under static loading, and scaled tests were performed under dynamic loading. In this study, a one-eighth-scale model of train-to-train collisions for a three-car set was tested, and the corresponding displacement–time and velocity–time curves were obtained. The extents of energy absorption and dissipation were also calculated. Also, finite element simulations were conducted to simulate one-eighth-scale train collisions for three-car, five-car and eight-car sets. The finite element numerical simulation of scaled train collisions produced results that were consistent with experiment results. The simulation results also indicated that train sets do not significantly affect energy absorption and dissipation pattern. The energy-absorbing structure at the front of a train plays a major role in the collisions. Moving cars absorb slightly more energy than stationary cars in both the scaled test and finite element simulations.