In this dissertation, a freight train suspension system is presented for all possible types of motion. The suspension system experiences impacts and friction between wedges and bolster. The impacts cause the chatter motions between wedges and bolster, and the friction will cause the stick and non-stick motions between wedges and bolster. Due to the wedge effect, the suspension system may become stuck and not move, which cause the suspension lose functions. To discuss such phenomena in the freight train suspension systems, the theory of discontinuous dynamical systems is used, and the motion mechanism of impacting chatter with stick and stuck is discussed. The analytical conditions for the onset and vanishing of stick motions between the wedges and bolster are presented, and the condition for maintaining stick motion was achieved as well. The analytical conditions for stuck motion are developed to determine the onset and vanishing conditions for stuck motion. Analytical prediction of periodic motions relative to impacting chatter with stick and stuck motions in train suspension is performed through the mapping dynamics. The corresponding analyses of local stability and bifurcation are carried out, and the grazing and stick conditions are used to determine periodic motions. Numerical simulations are to illustrate periodic motions of stick and stuck motions. Finally, from field testing data, the effects of wedge angle on the motions of the suspension is presented to find a more desirable suspension response for design.

The displacement of the flow by a passing freight train can often result in dangerous conditions for railway equipment and people standing in the vicinity of the train. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed to study the flow development around a moving freight train comprised of a Class 66 locomotive and four container wagons. The results will give a better insight into the effects that each flow structure can have in the flow within the train's slipstream. Both two- and three-dimensional simulations are carried out around the freight train using three different RANS turbulence models: the Spalart-Allmaras, the SST k-ω and the W&J EARSM. Two cases of 10o and 30o crosswinds are also considered and compared to the no-crosswind case, as side-winds characterize the majority of real-life situations and are known to amplify the slipstream effects. The results are validated against available experimental and numerical data and they are thoroughly presented and discussed. The 30o crosswind case is also computed using a DDES simulation. A meshing strategy which involves the assembly of different mesh blocks with a non-matching interface boundary condition to create the complete domain is used and assessed, as an alternative meshing approach that can simplify and accelerate the set-up of different case-studies. Additionally, the two-dimensional study is used to assess the influence of different parameters on the solution, such as the grid resolution and the moving-ground boundary condition.

This study investigates the dynamic response of a railway bridge under train passage. Three load models designed around the Swedish Steel Arrow freight train are tested and compared. A series of Concentrated Forces, a succession of single degree of freedom Sprung-Masses, and a sequence of complex multi-degree of freedom Train Wagons. The increase in accuracy of the representation corresponds to taking into account the inertial properties of the wagons. The track-bed layer is substitute by a sequence of regularly spaced couple of springs and dampers at the sleeper distance. Under the assumption of this work, a portion of the ballast vibrates with the sleeper during train passage. Both bridge and rail are modelled under Bernoulli-Euler beam theory. The dynamic behavior of the bridge is investigated in presence or absence of vertical track irregularities. The main conclusions of the report can be summarized as:   • the dynamic amplification attains its maximum value, for every train model, at the critical train speeds of 120 km/h. Proper resonance has also been detected at the speed of 60 km/h in all the simulations;   • the Concentrated Forces model provided an upper boundary of the acceleration response of the bridge while the Sprung-Mass systems a lower boundary. The response of the two models is in very good agreement at non resonance speeds. The simulation with Train Wagons loading does not fit completely this trend, it adds two peaks on the diagram; Besides that, the bridge response lies between the two limits;   • the presence of track irregularities determines a variation of the bridge dynamics only if combined with Train Wagon load model. The Concentrated Force pattern couldn’t detect the modification of the profile while the Sprung-Masses case provided a diagram of maximum acceleration similar to the one over flat rail simply shifted upwards;   • the position of the track irregularities along the bridge influence its dynamics.

This thesis presents a theoretical application of multibody dynamics with unilateral contact to model the interaction of the damping element in a freight train suspension, the friction wedge, with the bolster and the side frame. The objective of the proposed approach is to produce a stand-alone model that can better characterize the interaction between the bolster, the friction wedge, and the side frame subsystems. The new model allows the wedge four degrees of freedom: vertical displacement, longitudinal (between the bolster and the side frame) displacement, pitch (rotation about the lateral axis), and yaw (rotation about the vertical axis). The new model also allows for toe variation. The stand-alone model shows the capability of capturing dynamics of the wedge which were not possible to simulate using previous models. The inclusion of unilateral contact conditions is integral in quantifying the behavior during lift-off and the stick-slip phenomena. The resulting friction wedge model is a 3D, dynamic, stand-alone model of a bolster-friction wedge-side frame assembly. The new stand-alone model was validated through simulation using simple inputs. The dedicated train modeling software NUCARS® has been used to run simulations with similar inputs and to compare — when possible — the results with those obtained from the new stand-alone MATLAB friction wedge model. The stand-alone model shows improvement in capturing the transient dynamics of the wedge better. Also, it can predict not only normal forces going into the side frame and bolster, but also the associated moments. Significant simulation results are presented and the main differences between the current NUCARS® models and the new stand-alone MATLAB models are highlighted. / Master of Science

Previous work in the Railway Technology Laboratory at Virginia Tech focused on better capturing the dynamics of the friction wedge, modeled as a 3D rigid body. The current study extends that work to a half-truck model treated as an application of multibody dynamics with unilateral contact to model the friction wedge interactions with the bolster and the sideframe. The half-truck model created in MATLAB is a 3D, dynamic, multibody dynamics model comprised of four rigid bodies: a bolster, two friction wedges, and a sideframe assembly. The model allows each wedge four degrees of freedom: vertical displacement, longitudinal displacement (between the bolster and sideframe), pitch (rotation around the lateral axis), and yaw (rotation around the vertical axis). The bolster and the sideframe have only the vertical degree of freedom. The geometry of these bodies can be adjusted for various simulation scenarios. The bolster can be initialized with a pre-defined yaw (rotation around the vertical axis) and the sideframe may be initialized with a pre-defined pitch/toe (rotation around the lateral axis). The multibody dynamics half-truck model simulation results have been compared with results from NUCARS®, an industry standard train modeling software, for similar inputs. The multibody dynamics models have also been extended to a variably damped full-truck model and a variably damped half-truck warping model. These models were reformulated to react dynamically to simulated truck warp inputs. The ability to better characterize truck warping properties can prevent train roll over and derailments from truck hunting. In a quarter-truck variably damped configuration the effects of a curved wedge surface has also been explored. Actual friction wedges have surfaces which are slightly curved, this iteration in the multibody dynamics friction wedge modeling attempts to draw one step closer to actual friction wedge geometry. This model lays the ground work for a contact dependant wedge wearing model based on material properties and tribology. / Master of Science

Punktlighet är ett viktigt mätetal inom järnvägsindustrin, men också en stor utmaning. Ett övergripande mål i Sverige är att samtliga tåg, både person- och godståg, ska ha en punktlighet på 95% vid slutdestinationen, där tåg som anländer högst fem minuter efter utsatt tid räknas som punktliga. Under 2019 var godstågens punktlighet 77,9%. Försenade godståg innebär stora kostnader i form av kvalitetsavgifter för den part som orsakat förseningen, samhällsekonomiska kostnader samt ett förlorat förtroende för järnvägen där kunder väljer andra transportslag för att garantera att varorna anländer i tid. Syftet med examensarbetet är att identifiera vilka faktorer som påverkar godstågens punktlighet samt att ta fram rekommendationer för hur punktligheten kan förbättras. För att uppfylla examensarbetets syfte delades projektet upp i två delmål som besvarades genom att tillämpa problemlösningsmetodiken DMAIC. Det första delmålet var att identifiera hur godstågens punktlighet påverkades av att avgå utanför utsatt tid. Detta undersöktes genom att jämföra hur godstågens resor förändrades då de avgått punktligt samt tidigare eller senare än planerat. Genom att visualisera hur genomsnittet av respektive resa sett ut och jämföra dessa med varandra kunde det påvisas att avgångstiden inte är den mest betydande faktorn för godstågens punktlighet. Detta för att resan såg liknande ut oavsett då tågen avgick och den totala restiden skiljde sig inte åt nämnvärt. Det framkom även att tåg som avgår punktligt får färre merförseningar än tåg som avgår utanför gränserna för punktliga tåg. Det andra delmålet var att identifiera vad som påverkar godstågens punktlighet längs sträckan. Detta undersöktes genom att studera godstågens tidsavvikelse vid samtliga trafikplatser längs sträckan samt att analysera de orsakskoder som rapporterats in för respektive tågresa. Här påvisades att tågen inte körs enligt framtagen tågplan, vilket påverkar punktligheten negativt. Några identifierade orsaker till detta är att de olika tåguppdragen har olika förutsättningar att köra samma sträcka, trots att de har samma största tillåtna hastighet. Samt att det finns tåguppdrag som systematiskt reducerar den framförda hastigheten på grund av minskad bromsverkan, vilket i sin tur beror på dåliga vagnar eller för långt/tungt tågekipage. Utöver de två delmålen identifierades även att det fanns bristande datakvalitet i den inrapportering av orsakskoder som tillämpas idag. Exempelvis saknades dryga 40 % data för att förklara varför en merförsening uppstått. Examensarbetet resulterade i tre rekommendationer för hur godstågens punktlighet kan förbättras och dessa var: Kontinuerlig dialog mellan berörda parter för att ta fram en mer tillförlitlig tågplan. Systematiska avvikelser från tågplanen ska ha en högre kvalitetsavgift vid förseningar. Förbättra analysunderlaget genom en bättre inrapportering av orsakskoder. / Punctuality is an important measurement in the railway industry, but also entails some challenges. In Sweden there is an overall goal that both passenger- and freight trains should have a 95% punctuality when they arrive at their final destination, where trains who arrive at their final destination less than five minutes after scheduled arrival counts as punctual. During 2019 the punctuality for freight trains was 77,9%. Delayed freight trains are connected to large costs for both the railway industry and for the society. The purpose of this master thesis is to identify which factors affect freight train punctuality and to find recommendations on how to improve it. To fulfill this purpose, the project was divided into two milestones that were answered by applying the problem-solving methodology DMAIC. The first milestone was to identify how punctuality was affected by freight trains departing outside of their appointed departure time. This was done by comparing how journeys differentiated when trains departed punctually as well as earlier or later than planned. By comparing these with each other it was proven that departure time is not the most affecting factor when it comes to freight train punctuality. Because each trains journey had a similar pattern regardless of when they departed and the travel time for the trains did not differ significantly. Furthermore, it was found that trains that are punctual at their time of departure have less delays during the trains entire route than trains who depart outside of the time-window for punctual departure.  The second milestone was to identify what affected the freight train punctuality during the trains entire route. This was done by investigating the time deviation for each train at every measurement point during the route and by analyzing the reasons for time deviation. It turned out that the trains did not run according to the set timetable, which affected the punctuality in a negative way. A few identified reasons for this was that different trains had different prerequisites to drive the same route, even though they are planned for the same speed. And that some trains systematically reduced their speed due to a lack of breaking capacity, as a result of the train being too long or heavy. Beyond the two milestones it was identified a lack of data quality in the reporting of reasons for time deviation. For example, about 40 % of data was missing that could have further explained why the trains where delayed.  The master thesis resulted in three recommendations for how freight train punctuality can be improved, and these were: Continuous dialogue between affected parties to make a timetable that is more reliable. Systematic deviations from the timetable should have a higher cost for causing these. Improved data quality for further analysis of why delays occur.

In this MSc thesis, it is investigated what parameters are relevant for describing energy consumption of heavy haul freight trains and how these can be used to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for energy efficiency. The possible set of KPI is bounded by data available from energy meters used in electric IORE class locomotives hauling iron ore trains in northern Sweden. Furthermore, the analysis is only concerned with energy efficiency at the rolling stock level, excluding losses in the electric power supply network. Based on a literature study, parameters of interest describing driver, operations and rolling stock energy efficiency have been identified. By means of simulation, a parametric study is performed, simulating a 30 ton axle load iron ore train with 68 wagons. Train modelling input is obtained from technical documentation or estimated through measurements and statistical analysis. A multi-particle representation of the train is used to calculate gradient resistance for the simulation, which is also applied to determine the curve resistance.  Results show that the motion resistance is simulated quite accurately, while the lack of a driver model in the simulation tool leads to overestimation of energy consumption. Taking this into account, the importance of the driver for energy efficiency can still clearly be showcased in the parametric study. Especially on long steep downhill sections, prioritising the electric brakes over mechanical brakes is demonstrated to have a huge influence on net energy consumption, as has the amount of coasting applied. With the same driver behaviour in all simulations, the savings in specific energy from increasing axle load to 32.5 tons is estimated. Moreover, a comparison of increased train length and axle load points towards higher savings for the latter. In the end, parametric study results are used to recommend a structure for a monitoring system of energy efficiency based on a set of KPIs. With a sufficiently high sampling rate of energy meter data, it is adequate for calculating driver related KPIs and some additional KPIs. More KPIs can be tracked with access to additional data, e.g. cargo load. / I detta examensarbete undersöks vilka parametrar som är relevanta för att beskriva energiförbrukning för tunga godståg och hur dessa kan nyttjas för att utveckla nyckeltal för energieffektivitet. Antalet möjliga nyckeltal avgränsas till sådana som kan beräknas med data från elmätare som används i elektriska littera IORE lok som drar tunga malmtåg i norra Sverige. Vidare så tar analysen endast hänsyn till energieffektivitet för rullande materiel, vilket utesluter förluster i elektriska kraftmatningsnätet. Baserad på en litteraturstudie har relevanta parametrar som beskriver förare, drift och rullande materiel identifierats. Med hjälp av simuleringar av ett malmtåg med 30 tons axellast och 68 vagnar så utförs en parameterstudie. Indata för tågmodelleringen erhålls från teknisk dokumentation respektive uppskattas genom mätningar och statistisk analys. En representation av tåget som flertalet partiklar tillämpas i simulering för att beräkna lutningsmotståndet. Dessutom används densamma för att ta fram kurvmotståndet. Resultaten visar att gångmotstånd simuleras ganska exakt, medan avsaknad av en förarmodell i simuleringsvertyget leder till överskattad energiförbrukning. Med hänsyn tagen till detta så kan betydelsen av föraren för energieffektivitet fortfarande påvisas mycket tydligt i parameterstudien. I synnerhet i långa branta nedförsbackar har prioritering av den elektriska bromsen framför den mekaniska bromsen mycket stor påverkan på nettoenergiförbrukningen, likaväl som hur mycket tåget frirullar. Med samma förarbeteende i samtliga simuleringar har besparingar i specifik energiförbrukning kunnat uppskattats för en ökning av axellasten till 32,5 ton. Dessutom pekar en jämförelse av ökad tåglängd och axellast mot att sistnämnda ger större besparingar. Slutligen så har resultaten från parameterstudien nyttjats för att rekommendera en struktur för ett uppföljningssystem av energieffektivitet baserad på en uppsättning av nyckeltal. Med tillräckligt hög samplingsfrekvens på data från elmätare är den adekvat för att beräkna vissa nyckeltal, framförallt relaterad till förare. Fler nyckeltal kan följas upp med mer tillgänglig data så som lastvikter.

This master’s thesis covers the structuring and implementation of a digital testbench for the air brake system of freight trains. The test bench will serveto further improve the existing brake models at Transrail Sweden AB. Theseare used for the optimised calculation of train speed profiles by the DriverAdvisory System CATO. This work is based on the research of the technicalbackground, as well as the methodical approach to physical modelling anda modular implementation of the test bench. It gives full flexibility for thesimulation of customised train configurations using the European UIC brakesystem. Train length and vehicle arrangement can be adapted to the user’sspecific needs. For example, the test bench could be used for the simulation ofa train with distributed power. The system parameters are stored in a vehiclelibrary for the convenient generation of train configurations. This vehiclelibrary is freely expandable.The simulation is based on an equivalent electric circuit model which iscompleted with nozzle flow modelling. This model involves monitoring themain pipe, brake cylinder and reservoir pressure. Linear approximation is usedto obtain braking forces for the individual wagons and for the whole train. Thedepiction of the brake system behaviour is mostly accurate in the operationalscenarios, which is validated with measurement data. Additional calibrationis required for further reduction of the simulation errors and an extension ofthe model’s domain of validity. The test bench is developed by incrementaland iterative modelling and prepared for further improvements and variations,for example the adaption to the American AAR system variant.The presented work can also be used as a basis for similar implementationssuch as driving simulators. The methods are transferable to other applicationsof modular simulation. / Det här examensarbetet omfattar formgivningen och implementeringen aven digital provbänk för tyckluftsbromssystemet på godståg. Provbänken skaanvändas för att vidareutveckla befintliga bromsmodeller hos Transrail SwedenAB. De används för beräkningen av optimerade hastighetsprofiler förtåg i förarassistanssystemet CATO. Arbetet baserar sig på undersökningenav den tekniska bakgrunden, samt ett metodiskt angreppssätt för fysikaliskmodellering. Verktyget är implementerat på ett modulärt sätt. Provbänkenger full flexibilitet för simuleringen av skräddarsydda tågkonfigurationer somanvänder det europeiska UIC-bromssystemet. Tåglängd och fordonsanordningkan anpassas enligt användarens behov, till exempel för simulering av fördeladtraktion. Systemparametrarna lagras i ett fordonsbiliotek som förenklar inmatningenav tågkonfigurationer. Fordonsbiblioteket kan utvidgas enligt behov.Simuleringen är baserad på en ekvivalent strömkretsmodell, som kompletterasmed modellerad dysströmning. Simuleringen beskriver trycket ihuvudledningen, bromscylindern och förrådsluftsbehållaren. Bromskrafternaapproximeras linjärt efter trycken för de enskilda vagnarna såväl som helatåget. Simuleringen återger beteendet av bromssystemet i alla driftsituationerpå ett verklighetsnära sätt, enligt validering med mätdata från Knorr-Bremse:stestanläggning. Ytterligare kalibrering behövs för att minimera avvikelserna isimuleringen och för att utvidga modellens giltighetsdomän. Provbänken harutvecklats i stegvis modellering och är väl förberedd för vidareutveckling ochanpassning. Ett exempel är anpassningen för att simulera det amerikanskaAAR-bromssystemet.Arbetet som presenteras här är lämplig för användning i liknande applikationer,såsom körsimulatorer. Metoden kan tillämpas allmänt på övrigaanvändningsområden av modulär simulering.

[pt] A matriz brasileira de transporte retrata a dominância rodoviária sobre os demais modais, na movimentação de cargas no país. O aumento da eficiência operacional e redução de custos é fator que pode elevar a participação e competitividade dos trens nesse contexto. A aplicação de técnicas de otimização no processo de dimensionamento e planejamento operacional da frota de locomotivas possui grande potencial de economia de recursos, principalmente devido aos seus elevados custos de aquisição e manutenção. O presente trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para obtenção de uma solução exata para um horizonte mensal de planejamento, aproveitando se do caráter cíclico da grade de formação dos trens de carga geral, para definir o tamanho ótimo da frota necessário ao seu adequado funcionamento. A metodologia, implementada em linguagem Python e aplicada em um cenário de uma grade conhecida, teve sua frota resultante comparada com o dimensionamento manual realizado em uma concessionária brasileira e foi capaz de indicar a redução de 2 locomotivas no planejamento de frota. Associada a esta redução, a economia de capital estimada seria entre 400 mil reais e 20 milhões de reais, para o cenário conservador de economia dos gastos de manutenção e para o cenário mais otimista evitando a aquisição de novas locomotivas. Além da redução de frota e aumento na competitividade tarifária dos trens de carga geral, a metodologia cria, por meio de critérios científicos, diretrizes objetivas para o processo de dimensionamento e planejamento da frota de locomotivas, em substituição ao processo empírico atualmente aplicado na referida concessionária. / [en] The Brazilian transport matrix presents the road dominance over other modes in the movement of cargo in the country. The increase in operational efficiency and cost reduction is a factor that can increase the participation and competitiveness of trains in this context. The application of optimi zation techniques in the process of dimensioning and operational planning of the locomotive fleet has great potential for saving resources, mainly due to its high acquisition and maintenance costs. This work presents a methodology to obtain an exact soluti on for a monthly planning horizon, taking advantage of the cyclical character of the general freight trains timetables and defining the optimum fleet size necessary for its proper functioning. The methodology, implemented in Python language and applied in a scenario of a defined timetable had its resulting fleet compared with the manual sizing process carried out in a Brazilian dealership and was able to indicate the reduction of 2 locomotives in the fleet planning. Associated with this reduction, the est imated capital savings would be between 400 thousand reais and 20 million reais, for the conservative scenario of savings in maintenance costs and for the more optimistic scenario avoiding the acquisition of new locomotives. In addition to reducing the fleet and increasing the tariff competitiveness of general freight trains, the methodology creates, through scientific criteria, objective guidelines for the process of dimensioning and planning the locomotive fleet, replacing the empirical process currently applied in the aforementioned concessionaire.