Computer-aided analysis of rail vehicle dynamics

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Computer-aided analysis of rail vehicle dynamics

Apparao, T.A. / Billing, J.R.

Analysis and design of rail vehicle suspension is a complex problem requiring use of the computer. Since the equations of motion of a rail vehicle may be cast into the same general form as the equations resulting from other dynamic systems, a general purpose computer program called DYNSYS, applicable to problems of dynamics, was developed. The user codes FORTRAN subroutines to describe the system model in a standard form, and these interact with linear stability, linear frequency domain response, and nonlinear time domain solution modules. Four rail vehicle models were developed to permit linear stability, nonlinear steady-state curving, non-linear curve entry and linear power spectral response analyses. These models have been used successfully to analyse the dynamic characteristics of cars on the Toronto subway, and to specify parameters to improve the suspensions of those classes of cars which were unstable. Test of a prototype modified suspension has confirmed analytical predictions. If the prototype has satisfactory service experience, the operator will consider retrofit to other cars as there are large potential savings available in track and vehicle maintenance.