An efficient contact analysis method between the carbody and the railway structures using a multi body dynamics

Abstract In this study, we have constructed an efficient contact model to express the contact phenomenon between the vehicle and the railway structure during a huge earthquake. In this method, contact sensing points are set on a multi-body vehicle model and contact surfaces are defined on railway structures FEM models. The dynamic interaction force is calculated by the penalty method. In addition, we have incorporated the model into the numerical analytical program DIASTARS III that is able to express the railway vehicle behavior before and after derailment. Finally, to validate the proposed model, we have conducted a trial analysis that the carbody contacted with the structure after derailment during the earthquake.