Improving the track friendliness of a four-axle railway vehicle using an inertance-integrated lateral primary suspension

You are here: Homepage > Search

Improving the track friendliness of a four-axle railway vehicle using an inertance-integrated lateral primary suspension

Lewis, T. D. / Li, Y. / Tucker, G. J. / Jiang, J. Z. / Zhao, Y. / Neild, S. A. / Smith, M. C. / Goodall, R. / Dinmore, N.

Abstract

Improving the track friendliness of a railway vehicle can benefit the railway industry significantly. Rail surface damage in curves can be reduced by using vehicles with a lower Primary Yaw Stiffness (PYS); however, this can reduce high-speed stability and worsen ride comfort. Previous studies have shown that this trade-off between track friendliness and passenger comfort can be successfully combated by using an inerter in the primary suspension; however, these utilise simplified vehicle models, contact models, and track inputs. Considering a realistic four-axle passenger vehicle model, this paper investigates the extent to which the PYS can be reduced with inertance-integrated primary lateral suspensions without increasing root-mean-square (RMS) carbody lateral accelerations. The vehicle model, with these enhanced suspensions, has been created in VAMPIRE, with the dynamics being captured over a range of vehicle velocities and equivalent conicities. Based on systematic optimisations using network-synthesis theory, several beneficial inertance-integrated configurations are identified, and the PYS can be reduced by up to 47% compared to the default vehicle (a potential Network Rail Variable Usage Charge saving of 26%), without increasing RMS carbody lateral accelerations. Further simulations are performed to investigate the vehicle's performance in curve transitions and when subject to one-off peak lateral track irregularities.

Access

Check access

Check availability in my library

Order at Subito €

Export, share and cite

Document information

Title :

Improving the track friendliness of a four-axle railway vehicle using an inertance-integrated lateral primary suspension

Contributors:

Lewis, T. D. (author) / Li, Y. (author) / Tucker, G. J. (author) / Jiang, J. Z. (author) / Zhao, Y. (author) / Neild, S. A. (author) / Smith, M. C. (author) / Goodall, R. (author) / Dinmore, N. (author)

Published in:

Vehicle System Dynamics ; 59 , 1 ; 115-134

Publication date :

2021-01-02

Size :

20 pages

ISSN :

0042-3114 , 1744-5159

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.1080/00423114.2019.1664752

Type of media :

Article (Journal)