United States Department of Transportation
i
Analysis of colliding vehicle interactions for the passenger rail train-to-train impact test
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2004-04-06
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[PDF-805.32 KB]
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Alternative Title:Proceedings of the 2004 ASME/IEEE Joint Rail Conference
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Abstract:A full-scale train-to-train impact test was performed in
which a cab car-led passenger train traveling at 30 mph collided
with a standing locomotive-led train. During the test, the lead
cab car overrode the cab of the standing locomotive, sustaining
approximately 20 feet of crush, while the cab of the locomotive
remained essentially intact.
In this study, a finite element-based analysis of the
collision was performed. The first 0.5 seconds of the collision
was simulated. Results of the analysis were compared with
accelerometer and video test data. Specific comparisons are
made between test data and model predictions for: motions of
the cab car and the standing locomotive; longitudinal forces
arising between the cab car and the standing locomotive and
between the respective lead and trailing vehicles; and the mode
of deformation of the cab car and the locomotive.
The results of the study indicate that the model captures
pertinent features of the first 0.3 seconds of the collision,
particularly with respect to longitudinal vehicle motions and
collision forces. After 0.3 seconds, agreement between model
predictions and test data becomes progressively worse. This is
attributable to the model’s inability to capture the massive
fracture that occurs at the front of the cab car.
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