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:
[+]
Collisions Commuter Cars Couplers Crash Energy Management Crash Injury Research Crash Tests Crashworthiness Finite Element Method Passenger Cars Specifications Structural Analysis Three-dimensional Models
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.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
Volpe
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:5f85bc94feb0743fc578fc7578ce8168325f7ae69c81d519aaaf8cbbb6c6900e
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10035/dot_10035_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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