PARAMETRIC STUDIES ON A RAILROAD FREIGHT CAR MATHEMATICAL MODEL

One common problem facing the railroad industry is the "harmonic roll" of freight cars. This problem is more predominant when cars traverse track with periodic low joints on half-staggered rails. When operating a freight car over track of this nature, the car body may rock violently, resulting in equipment failure, wheel-lift and possible derailments. This paper presents a detailed three-dimensional mathematical model which assumes 22 deg of freedom for the computer simulation of freight car dynamics. An extensive study on several important parameters such as the cars' geometry, the track and the suspension is performed and their effects are analyzed. The results can be used as a guideline to minimize the "harmonic roll" problem.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of the ASME for presentation at the Winter Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas, November 30 - December 4, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Martin, G C
  • Tse, Y H
• Publication Date: 1975-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearings; Center of gravity; Derailments; Dynamic tests; Mathematical models; Rocking; Rolling; Simulation; Suspension systems; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Wheel loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Rock and roll; Side bearings; Truck center distance
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128618
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 75-WA/RT-11
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 14 1976 12:00AM