Title: Introducing wheel-rail adhesion control into longitudinal train dynamics

Authors: Qing Wu; Maksym Spiryagin; Colin Cole; Yan Sun

Addresses: Centre for Railway Engineering, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD4701, Australia; Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia ' Centre for Railway Engineering, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD4701, Australia; Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia ' Centre for Railway Engineering, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD4701, Australia; Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia ' Centre for Railway Engineering, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD4701, Australia; Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Abstract: Conventional longitudinal train dynamics (LTD) simulations apply several assumptions regarding wheel-rail adhesion but its control is not considered. This study linked an in-house LTD simulator to a commercial MBS dynamics simulator via the TCP/IP protocol. A heavy haul train with the configuration of 3 locomotives + 150 wagons was modelled. The wagons were modelled in the LTD simulator while the locomotives were modelled in the MBS simulator. The locomotive models were 3D models that included wheelrail contact models and adhesion control models. Locomotives were simulated in parallel using three computer cores. Co-simulations with and without curve lubrication were conducted and compared with a conventional LTD simulation. Computing times with and without parallel computing were also compared. Compared with conventional LTD simulations, wheel-rail adhesion control generates evident differences for maximum traction forces, average train speeds, maximum in-train forces and force patterns. Parallel computing reduced the computing time by about 46%.

Keywords: longitudinal train dynamics; wheel-rail contact; adhesion control; traction modelling; parallel computing; co-simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2024.138385

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2024 Vol.31 No.3, pp.289 - 306

Received: 30 Mar 2017
Accepted: 05 Sep 2017
Published online: 02 May 2024 *

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