Innovative Solutions for Railway Vehicle Design

Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics
Ed. Simon Iwnicki
2006  ISBN: 0849333210  552 pages, $195

Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics is a comprehensive introduction to an emerging area of knowledge, in which the growth in understanding has been aided by new testing methods, advanced computer simulation and building on design techniques that are well established. This book provides the best consolidated summary of an extremely broad subject that has seen by the reviewer in over 30 years in the industry.

While modesty claiming the objective of the handbook is to provide a detailed introduction, Simon Iwnicki has managed to assemble 26 world renowned practicing investigative engineers to cover most substantive areas of the subject. Many contributors write from academic institutions, which have no doubt enabled the research to occur, and are therefore at the forefront of knowledge in their area of specialisation.

Over 535 pages, the contributors have provided a very comprehensive review of the current and established theory and case study knowledge in their subject. In addition, a very detailed bibliography amounting to 729 references, 176 in “A History of Railway Vehicle Dynamics” alone and which is a very satisfactory consolidation of the knowledge to date. The remaining 14 chapters take that knowledge forward.

The problems of instability are particularly referenced throughout the work with results from field and laboratory testing as well as simulation results with comparisons.

Refreshingly, the track and its characteristics also receives due treatment with the obvious recognition that vehicle dynamics and track behaviour are intricately linked.

Topics covered include

• A History of Rail Vehicle Dynamics: This chapter provides a substantive history of the operation of rail vehicles, the interactions between wheel and rail, and work to overcome the various problems of instability, and solutions to control bogie hunting. It culminates in a mention of the development of active suspensions and opening opportunities for later Chapters to report on the most recent work.
• The Anatomy of Railway Vehicle Running Gear: This section covers all of the components that make up a railway vehicle bogie – there is no consideration of four wheeled vehicles. It considers each element as an individual part, and then looks at the interactions to make a complete bogie, and the forces contained in it. There are also details of the interconnection between a bogie and car body. Advanced designs are also briefly mentioned.
• Wheel-Rail Contact: This Chapter looks at the interaction between a single wheel set and its associated running rails. It provides a detailed analysis of the contact area, and the interaction at the contact face. It also considers the effect of worn wheel profiles on the operation and stability of the wheelset.
• Tribology of the Wheel-Rail Contact: Considers the friction, wear and lubrication of the contact area between wheel and rail as a dynamic situation. It also looks at increasing and decreasing adhesion factors, along with fatigue effects as a result of the high contact stresses at the interface.
• Track Issues: This section looks at the components of the track, their interactions, and the dynamic properties of the track unit. The latter details the effects and causes of corrugations, and the impact loading imposed by vehicles, and concludes with some mathematical modelling techniques.
• Gauging Issues: This section looks at the various forms of loading gauge, and their importance in maximising vehicle available profile within the fixed constraint of the outlines available. It considers the accuracy of the various measuring methods, and how these apply to the design and operation of the rail vehicle and its load.
• Railway Vehicle Derailment and Prevention: Some early history and statistics are first presented, followed by a detailed consideration of the mechanisms leading to derailment, and the associated safety requirements for prevention.  There are also sections on prediction and prevention of derailment, looking at both wheels and rails.
• Longitudinal Train Dynamics: This complex subject is covered in some detail by our own Colin Cole, so well known for his work on the Queensland Heavy Haul operation and leading research. The Overview sets a scene for the development of modelling, and the effect of the various components of the train on the dynamics and forces. This ranges from couplings to brakes and locomotive power and braking loads, and the interaction of the individual vehicle. Collision and crashworthiness, comfort requirements, and a section on train handling complete a thorough analysis.
• Noise and Vibration from Railway Vehicles: Analysis of the sources, effects and control of noise generation forms the basis for this Chapter. It looks at the mechanisms of generation of rolling noise, along with the analysis of control of and prediction of noise.
• Active Suspensions: This Chapter provides a thorough analysis of active suspensions as applied to rail vehicles. It considers the basics of active suspension, and then details the various types, with particular reference to tilt trains. Details are then considered of types and control of primary and secondary suspension characteristics.
• Simulation: This Chapter is extensive, by far the largest at 64 pages, but also thorough as it considers the models available for vehicles, then the models for tracks, and wheel-rail contact. Then it considers the simulation methods, computer simulation and finally, to consider the application of the techniques. It is really a number of specialised papers in one and with 116 references covers a broad part of the subject building on empirical methods and testing.
• Field Testing and Instrumentation: This is a how-to of vehicle testing using the wide range of testing equipment available today. It details the types of measuring equipment available, their location on vehicles, and analysis of the results.
• Roller Rigs: Looks at the development and use of dynamic testing using driven rollers to simulate the loading and analysis of bogies in a laboratory environment. The text details the capabilities of a number of full size rigs in various locations, and looks at the differences between rig and real life results.
• Scale Testing: Follows on from the previous chapter, considering the scale roller rigs handling scale models, and relating them to the scale factors used to produce real life results.
  

This is a big book about a complicated subject and is particularly relevant in the current environment where industry is looking for innovative solutions to compete with road and be relevant in the pursuit of fuel efficient safe transport.

Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics was reviewed by Martin Baggott* (MIEAust, CPEng) & Bruce Bellingham** (MIPENZ)

*  34 years experience in the railway industry as maintainer, senior manager, procurement and executive consultant

** 35 years in the railway industry specialising in locomotives, rollingstock, fault analysis and certification.