Collision dynamics modeling of crash energy management passenger rail equipment : a thesis submitted by Karina M. Jacobsen

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Collision dynamics modeling of crash energy management passenger rail equipment
• Creators:
  Jacobsen, Karina M.
• Corporate Creators:
  Tufts University
• Contributors:
  Perlman, A.B.
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Crashworthiness
  • Crash tests
  • Crash injury research
  • Collisions
  • Finite element method
  • Structural analysis
  • Specifications
  • Passenger cars
  • Commuter cars
  • Couplers Three-dimensional models
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• Resource Type:
  Thesis
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  Tufts University
• Abstract:
  Crash Energy Management (CEM) is a crashworthiness strategy that ; incorporates crush zones into the design of passenger railcars. In the event of a ; collision, crush zones are engineered to collapse in a controlled manner and ; distribute crush to unoccupied areas throughout a train. This approach manages ; dissipation of the collision energy more effectively and efficiently than conventional ; railcar designs. ; A train-to-train collision scenario is the basis for evaluation of crashworthiness ; in passenger railcars. This thesis uses a three-dimensional model of a CEM ; passenger train to simulate train collisions. The model is evolved in three stages: a ; single car model, a two-car model, and a train-to-train model. The key features ; include crush zones at both ends of the passenger railcars with a pushback coupler, ; suspension characteristics between the trucks and car body, and derailment ; characteristics to approximate the wheel-to-rail interaction. The results of each ; model are compared and validated with data from full-scale impact tests conducted ; for CEM passenger rail equipment. ; The three-dimensional collision dynamics model developed for this thesis serves ; two roles: to explain the events of a CEM train-to-train test and to develop a tool ; for evaluating other collision conditions and equipment variations. The first role is ; accomplished and demonstrated through comparison of results with a full-scale test. ; The second role is accomplished through the documentation and demonstration of ; the features needed to assess other conditions and demands on CEM. The future ; uses of the model include investigation of new designs of CEM equipment and evaluation of crashworthiness performance in more complex collision conditions ; such as oblique impacts and grade crossing collisions.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10035/dot_10035_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.57 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a13cafc7dc8e75e47acb39b6d087c34394f962c0d4ae67900bda878de68f10778b114e2df450a00a5130dddd2b711e2a23c3a79370c630ee2c6f6e362ece691b