Sensitivity analysis of suspension parameters on dynamic performance of a rail vehicle based on a virtual prototype response surface method model

In order to enhance the pertinency of suspension parameters optimization for a rail vehicle, this research intends to reveal the influence rule of suspension parameters on dynamic performance using sensitivity analysis method based on a virtual prototype response surface method model. Dynamic indexes in different combinations of suspension parameters are simulated using the virtual prototype, which is established using SIMPACK based on a multi-body dynamic model. And the response surface method models of dynamic indexes are constructed with the training samples, which are composed of the simulated dynamic indexes and the corresponding suspension parameters. The sensitivity analysis method is presented, taking a derivative with respect to the response surface method model. Then, the sensitivity analysis results of suspension parameters on dynamic performance of a rail vehicle are obtained in less computation time using the presented sensitivity analysis method. The results indicate that different suspension parameters affect different dynamic indexes of a rail vehicle, and there is a mutual coupling between the lateral stability, derailment coefficient, and wheel reduction rate.