Railroad Vehicle Dynamics ─ A Computaional Approach

The methods of computational mechanics have been used extensively in modeling many physical systems. The use of multibody-system techniques, in particular, has been applied successfully in the study of various, fundamentally different applications. Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach presents a computational multibody-system approach that can be used to develop complex models of railroad vehicle systems. The book examines several computational multibody-system formulations and discusses their computer implementation. The computational algorithms based on these general formulations can be used to develop general- and special-purpose railroad vehicle computer programs for use in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems, including the study of derailment and accident scenarios, design issues, and performance evaluation.The authors focus on the development of fully nonlinear formulations, supported by an explanation of the limitations of the linearized formulations that are frequently used in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems. The chapters of the book are organized to guide readers from basic concepts and definitions through a final understanding of the utility of fully nonlinear multibody- system formulations in the analysis of railroad vehicle systems.Railroad Vehicle Dynamics: A Computational Approach is a valuable reference for researchers and practicing engineers who commonly use general-purpose, multibody-system computer programs in the analysis, design, and performance evaluation of railroad vehicle systems.

INTRODUCTION Railroad Vehicles and Multibody-System DynamicsConstrained Dynamics Geometry Problem Contact Theories General Multibody Railroad Vehicle Formulations Specialized Railroad Vehicle Formulations Linearized Railroad Vehicle Models Motion Stability Motion Scenarios DYNAMIC FORMULATIONSGeneral Displacement Rotation Matrix Velocities and Accelerations Newton-Euler Equations Joint Constraints Augmented Formulation Trajectory Coordinates Embedding Technique Interpretation of the Methods Virtual Work RAIL AND WHEEL GEOMETRY Theory of Curves Geometry of Surfaces Rail Geometry Definitions and Terminology Geometric Description of the Track Computer Implementation Track Preprocessor Wheel Geometry CONTACT AND CREEP-FORCE MODELS Hertz Theory Creep Phenomenon Wheel/Rail Contact ApproachesCreep-Force Theories MULTIBODY CONTACT FORMULATIONSParameterization of Wheel and Rail SurfacesConstraint Contact Formulations Augmented Constraint Contact Formulation (ACCF) Embedded Constraint Contact Formulation (ECCF) Elastic Contact Formulation-Algebraic Equations (ECF-A) Elastic Contact Formulation-Nodal Search (ECF-N) Comparison of Different Contact Formulations Planar Contact IMPLEMENTATION AND SPECIAL ELEMENTS General Multibody-System Algorithms Numerical Algorithms-Constraint Formulations Numerical Algorithms-Elastic Formulations Calculation of the Creep Forces Higher Derivatives and Smoothness Technique Track Preprocessor Deviations and Measured Data Special Elements Maglev Forces Static Analysis Numerical Comparative Study SPECIALIZED RAILROAD VEHICLE FORMULATIONS General Displacement Velocity and Acceleration Equations of Motion Trajectory Coordinate Constraints Single-Degree-of-Freedom Model Two-Degree-of-Freedom Model Linear Hunting Stability Analysis CREEPAGE LINEARIZATION Background Transformation and Angular Velocity Euler Angles Linearization AssumptionsLongitudinal and Lateral CreepagesSpin Creepage Newton-Euler Equations Concluding RemarksAPPENDIX A - Contact Equations APPENDIX B - Elliptical Integrals REFERENCESINDEX