ANALOG AND DIGITAL COMPUTER SIMULATION OF COULOMB FRICTION

Coulomb friction, such as found in the suspension system of railway freight cars, can strongly influence dynamic behavior. The Coulomb friction nonlinearity must be accurately implemented in computer simulations of multi-degree-of-freedom dynamic models. This report proposes three computer models for friction and analyzes their performance in analog and digital computer simulations. Simulation techniques used are described in detail. Performance of each friction model is compared to analytical results. The accuracy, advantages, and disadvantages of each model are discussed. The report concludes with recommendations on the use of the proposed friction models.

• Corporate Authors:

  Clemson University

  Department of Mechanical Engineering
  Clemson, SC  United States  29631

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Heller, R
  • Tuten, J M
  • Kadala, P S
  • Law, E H
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 61 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analog simulation; Car trucks (Railroads); Computer programs; Damping (Physics); Degrees of freedom; Digital simulation; Freight cars; Friction; Mathematical models; Simulation; Suspension systems; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Forced vibration
• Old TRIS Terms: Coulomb friction
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176018
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA/ORD-78/07 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-OS-40018
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 19 1978 12:00AM