Study on numerical simulation method and dynamic force of dropper of a catenary system

Abstract

The dropper through bends and bears dynamic impact load before and after the train passes in actual service, which has an important impact on the fatigue life of the dropper. In this paper, a simulation model which can simulate the interaction between pantograph and catenary is established by using the numerical simulation method. A dropper model which can simulate the dynamic stress of the dropper is established through the beam-link combination element. The simulation result shows that among the six droppers in a span, the dynamic force of No. 1 and No. 6 droppers is the smallest, and the dynamic force of No. 3 and No. 4 droppers is the largest. The dynamic load variation characteristics of the dropper are characterized by the dynamic coefficient. When the front and rear pantograph pass through, the maximum dynamic force of the dropper appears when the rear pantograph passes through. The maximum dynamic force is located in the middle of the dropper. Through the research of this paper, the simulation method of catenary and dropper is established, and the dynamic stress process of dropper is analyzed, which lays a technical foundation for the subsequent research on the fatigue failure mechanism of dropper.