Title: Longitudinal dynamics of freight trains

Authors: M. Ansari, E. Esmailzadeh, D. Younesian

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4, Canada. ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4, Canada. ' School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: A comprehensive parametric study is performed on the longitudinal dynamics of a freight train based on different nonlinear time-domain models. The effect of different parameters, such as the couplers stiffness and damping, train speed, train acceleration, load distribution pattern, on the longitudinal train dynamics are investigated. Moreover, the effect of an empty wagon and its position, on the overall longitudinal train dynamics is discussed. A computer simulation model is developed to determine the optimum placement of the second locomotive in order to obtain the lowest longitudinal forces. Further study is carried out to determine the best type of automatic couplers.

Keywords: longitudinal dynamics; freight trains; automatic couplers; parametric sensitivity analysis; numerical simulation; nonlinear modelling; time-domain models; coupler stiffness; coupler damping; train speed; train acceleration; load distribution; empty wagons; second locomotive.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2009.023857

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2009 Vol.16 No.1/2, pp.102 - 131

Published online: 17 Mar 2009 *

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