Locomotive Fuel Tank Structural Safety Testing Program: Passenger Locomotive Fuel Tank Jackknife Derailment Load Test

This report presents the results of a passenger locomotive fuel tank load test simulating jackknife derailment (JD) load. The test is based on FRA requirements for locomotive fuel tanks in the Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 238, Appendix D. This test covers Section (a) (2) of Appendix D, which states that the fuel tank shall support transversely at the center a sudden loading equivalent to one-half the weight of the locomotive at a vertical acceleration of 2g without exceeding the ultimate strength of the material. The load is assumed to be supported by one rail, distributed between the longitudinal centerline and the edge of the tank bottom, with a railhead surface of 2 inches (in). The nominal weight of an F59 PHI passenger locomotive is approximately 268,000 pounds (lb). This report presents the test data and their correlations to the results of finite element analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS. The test data showed that the resulting vertical displacement of the tank bottom wall corresponding to a maximum JD load of 317 kilopounds was approximately 4 in. This comprised both elastic and plastic components of deformation. Upon unloading, a local residual plastic deformation of nearly 1 in was found, and no crack or breach in the tank wall was detected in the plastically deformed zone or elsewhere. Results of FEA are also included and compared with those obtained from the test. From the FRA regulatory perspective, the tank is considered to have satisfied the structural integrity requirements set forth in CFR 49, Part 238, Appendix D, Section (a) (2).

• Record URL:
  https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L01313#p1_z50_gD_lRT_y2010
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23122
• Corporate Authors:

  Foster-Miller Associates, Incorporated

  350 Second Avenue
  Waltham, MA  United States  02254

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Zaouk, A K
  • Parida, B
  • Silver, M
• Publication Date: 2010-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 49p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Derailments; Fuel tanks; Jackknifing; Locomotive operations; Locomotives; Passenger trains; Railroad crashes; Railroad safety; Simulation
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01321184
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-FRA-ORD-10-08
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 29 2010 7:39AM