SUSPENSION AND STRUCTURE: SOME FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES

Some of the fundamental criteria which affect the design of suburban passenger equipment are reviewed. There are many design approaches to both suspension and structure. The goals for cars for commuter and rapid transit service are minimum weight, maximum comfort, and maximum reliability at minimum cost. Based on U.S. DOT ride quality specifications, the authors recommend air bag secondary suspension and combined natural frequencies as low as 0.6 Hz which will require active self-centering and frequency-sensitive damping along with anti-roll bars at each truck. Natural frequencies of a typical carbody may be close to a natural frequency of truck frames. Lightweight all-welded carbodies are at a disadvantage because of the minimal structural damping within them.

• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • NEWLAND, D E
  • Cassidy, R J
• Publication Date: 1975-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 4-26
• Serial:
  • Railway Engineering Journal
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuter cars; Damping (Physics); Dynamic tests; Lightweight materials; Passenger cars; Rapid transit cars; Structural analysis; Suspension systems; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dynamic analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Car design; Passenger car design
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098054
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1981 12:00AM