Title: Numerical analysis of curving performances of low flatcar wagons

Authors: Federico Cheli, Stefano Melzi, Egidio Di Gialleonardo

Addresses: Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Meccanica, Via La Masa 1, 20156, Milano, Italy. ' Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Meccanica, Via La Masa 1, 20156, Milano, Italy. ' Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Meccanica, Via La Masa 1, 20156, Milano, Italy

Abstract: Saadkms vehicles represent a particular class of low flatcar wagons, which allow turning a freight train into a sort of movable road where several trucks can be loaded, brought close to their destination and then unloaded. This work presents the results of a numerical analysis of the running safety of Saadkms vehicles for a series of scenarios including curves with different radii and cant deficiency and running over switches. Particular attention was paid to the analysis of severe conditions represented by emergency braking performed while cornering or passing over switches; for the most critical conditions, the effect of flange lubrication was examined.

Keywords: freight trains; low flatcar wagons; numerical analysis; curving performance; Saadkms vehicles; heavy vehicles; emergency braking cornering switches; flange lubrication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2011.040502

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2011 Vol.18 No.2, pp.195 - 213

Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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