EVALUATION OF PROTOTYPE HEAD SHIELD FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL TANK CAR
The structural integrity of a prototype tank car head shield for hazardous material railroad tank cars was evaluated under conditions of freight car coupling at moderate to high speeds. This is one of the most severe environments encountered in normal railroad service. Two versions of the shield were tested. They were installed on a DOT Spec. 112A340W tank car and instrumented to measure forces at the points of attachment between the shield and the car. Test data were obtained when the car was impacted into standing cars over a 3 to 9 mph speed range. The tests produced no visible damage to the shield or the structure connecting it to the tank car, but they demonstrated the presence of severe vibrations resulting from the car impact. The likelihood of fatigue damage was indicated in the connecting structural members where the weight of the shield was supported. Modifications to the supporting structure are recommended before proceeding with additional impact tests and over-the-road tests.
-
- Record URL:
-
Supplemental Notes:
- Research was sponsored by the FRA, Office of Research and Development, through the DOT's Transportation Systems Center.
-
Corporate Authors:
IIT Research Institute
10 West 35th Street
Chicago, IL United States 60616 -
Authors:
- Johnson, M R
- Publication Date: 1976-12
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: 60 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Couplers; Failure; Occupant protection devices; Railroad safety; Safety; Tank cars; Tests
- Uncontrolled Terms: Impact protection
- Old TRIS Terms: Tank car heads; Tank car safety
- Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00147711
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Federal Railroad Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: FRA/OR&D-75-96 Final Rpt.
- Contract Numbers: DOT-TSC-727
- Files: NTIS, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM