Numerical Simulation and Experimental Verification of the German Roller Rig for Rail Vehicles

SUMMARY A numerical simulation model of the roller test stand located at Munich and loaded by a bogie is discussed including its technical structure, the governing physical equations of motion and the structure of the simulation program. Both, the set up of the mathematical and numerical models time and the computation time of simulation runs have been considerably reduced (by a factor of 20) using formula manipulation programs. Simulation results concerning the starting behaviour of a bogie, stationary limit cycle behaviour of bogies with ideal and wear profile and influence of gauge changes and spring/damper modifications on limit cycle behaviour of a bogie are presented, some of which are compared with experimental results gained from test facility measurements. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results and provide an experimental verification of the roller rig simulation model presented.