Increased competition and an increased drive for higher operational
efficiencies over recent years have led rail operators to seek
economies of scale with longer and heavier trains. However, longer
and heavier trains have led to larger in-train forces and stresses
on the bogies and wagon body, increasing wheel unloading and
derailment risks.
While the use of numerical simulation for wagon and train dynamics
is well developed, there are no simulation software packages that
directly address the interaction of train dynamics with wagon
dynamics. This project aims to address this and to advance the
concept of embedded wagon modelling. The ability to include wagon
dynamics in train simulation should offer a new comprehensive
approach to wagon dynamics simulation. This will have flow-on
effects for rollingstock commissioning, wagon stability studies,
and derailment investigation.
Project 147 extends the work of Project 1, and aims to translate
the significant work already undertaken to provide industry-useful
tools, particularly a comprehensive set of customised simulation
tools for the Australian railway industry and a source of
embeddable code that can be implemented in on-board applied
instrumentation systems.
Progress to date:
- Development of methods for generating track irregularity data from
power spectral density plots.
- Improved methods of modelling two-dimensional dry friction in bogie
suspension components.
- Development of wagon simulation models in Vampire and in C++.
- Optimisation of wagon simulation model for deployment in Health
Card Project 2.
- Submission of the PCT patent for inverse model.
Future Outcomes:
- Validate and commercially package a comprehensive vehicle
simulation model (Object Orientated C++ based 66DOF model) for
industry use.
- Adapt and produce test cases of comprehensive train/wagon/track
simulations and provide user documentation.
- Produce a source of embeddable code that can be implemented in
on-board applied instrumentation systems, and a copyrighted desktop
version for industry modeling.
Project Leader: Dr Colin Cole (Central Queensland University)
Project Manager: Mr Bruce Sismey (Pacific National)
