1st Edition

Railroad Vehicle Dynamics A Computational Approach

    360 Pages 117 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The methods of computational mechanics have been used extensively in modeling many physical systems. The use of multibody-system techniques, in particular, has been applied successfully in the study of various, fundamentally different applications.

    Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach presents a computational multibody-system approach that can be used to develop complex models of railroad vehicle systems. The book examines several computational multibody-system formulations and discusses their computer implementation. The computational algorithms based on these general formulations can be used to develop general- and special-purpose railroad vehicle computer programs for use in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems, including the study of derailment and accident scenarios, design issues, and performance evaluation.

    The authors focus on the development of fully nonlinear formulations, supported by an explanation of the limitations of the linearized formulations that are frequently used in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems. The chapters of the book are organized to guide readers from basic concepts and definitions through a final understanding of the utility of fully nonlinear multibody- system formulations in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems.

    Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach is a valuable reference for researchers and practicing engineers who commonly use general-purpose, multibody-system computer programs in the analysis, design, and performance evaluation of railroad vehicle systems.

    INTRODUCTION
    Railroad Vehicles and Multibody-System Dynamics
    Constrained Dynamics
    Geometry Problem
    Contact Theories
    General Multibody Railroad Vehicle Formulations
    Specialized Railroad Vehicle Formulations
    Linearized Railroad Vehicle Models
    Motion Stability
    Motion Scenarios

    DYNAMIC FORMULATIONS
    General Displacement
    Rotation Matrix
    Velocities and Accelerations
    Newton-Euler Equations
    Joint Constraints
    Augmented Formulation
    Trajectory Coordinates
    Embedding Technique
    Interpretation of the Methods
    Virtual Work

    RAIL AND WHEEL GEOMETRY
    Theory of Curves
    Geometry of Surfaces
    Rail Geometry
    Definitions and Terminology
    Geometric Description of the Track
    Computer Implementation
    Track Preprocessor
    Wheel Geometry

    CONTACT AND CREEP-FORCE MODELS
    Hertz Theory
    Creep Phenomenon
    Wheel/Rail Contact Approaches
    Creep-Force Theories

    MULTIBODY CONTACT FORMULATIONS
    Parameterization of Wheel and Rail Surfaces
    Constraint Contact Formulations
    Augmented Constraint Contact Formulation (ACCF)
    Embedded Constraint Contact Formulation (ECCF)
    Elastic Contact Formulation-Algebraic Equations (ECF-A)
    Elastic Contact Formulation-Nodal Search (ECF-N)
    Comparison of Different Contact Formulations
    Planar Contact

    IMPLEMENTATION AND SPECIAL ELEMENTS
    General Multibody-System Algorithms
    Numerical Algorithms-Constraint Formulations
    Numerical Algorithms-Elastic Formulations
    Calculation of the Creep Forces
    Higher Derivatives and Smoothness Technique
    Track Preprocessor
    Deviations and Measured Data
    Special Elements
    Maglev Forces
    Static Analysis
    Numerical Comparative Study

    SPECIALIZED RAILROAD VEHICLE FORMULATIONS
    General Displacement
    Velocity and Acceleration
    Equations of Motion
    Trajectory Coordinate Constraints
    Single-Degree-of-Freedom Model
    Two-Degree-of-Freedom Model
    Linear Hunting Stability Analysis

    CREEPAGE LINEARIZATION
    Background
    Transformation and Angular Velocity
    Euler Angles
    Linearization Assumptions
    Longitudinal and Lateral Creepages
    Spin Creepage
    Newton-Euler Equations
    Concluding Remarks

    APPENDIX A - Contact Equations

    APPENDIX B - Elliptical Integrals

    REFERENCES

    INDEX

    Biography

    Ahmed A. Shabana, Khaled E. Zaazaa, Hiroyuki Sugiyama

    "The book is designed as an introductory course on railroad vehicle dynamics that is suitable for senior undergraduate and first-year graduate students.  It can also be used as a reference book by researchers and practicing engineers who commonly use general-purpose multibody system computer programs in the analysis, design, and performance evaluation of railroad vehicle systems."                                                                                - Bojidar Cheshankov, Zentralblatt MATH, 2008, Vol. 1133

    "It is a heavily mathematical treatise on how railway vehicles move as they travel down the track . . . suitable for use by advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students interested in railway dynamics."

    – In Books-On-Line, November, 2008