Study on the operational safety of high-speed trains exposed to stochastic winds

The characteristic wind curve （CWC） was com- monly used in the previous work to evaluate the operational safety of the high-speed trains exposed to crosswinds. How- ever, the CWC only provide the dividing line between safety state and failure state of high-speed trains, which can not evaluate the risk of derailment of high-speed trains when ex- posed to natural winds. In the present paper, a more realistic approach taking into account the stochastic characteristics of natural winds is proposed, which can give a reasonable and effective assessment of the operational safety of high-speed trains under stochastic winds. In this approach, the longitudi- nal and lateral components of stochastic winds are simulated based on the Cooper theory and harmonic superposition. An algorithm is set up for calculating the unsteady aerody- namic forces （moments） of the high-speed trains exposed to stochastic winds. A multi-body dynamic model of the rail vehicle is established to compute the vehicle system dynamic response subjected to the unsteady aerodynamic forces （mo- ments） input. Then the statistical method is used to get the mean characteristic wind curve （MCWC） and spread range of the high-speed trains exposed to stochastic winds. It is found that the CWC provided by the previous analyticalmethod produces over-conservative limits. The methodol- ogy proposed in the present paper can provide more signif- icant reference for the safety operation of high-speed trains exposed to stochastic winds.     

Study on the subgrade deformation under high-speed train loading and water–soil interaction

It is important to study the subgrade characteristics of high-speed railways in consideration of the water–soil coupling dynamic problem,especially when high-speed trains operate in rainy regions.This study develops a nonlinear water–soil interaction dynamic model of slab track coupling with subgrade under high-speed train loading based on vehicle–track coupling dynamics.By using this model,the basic dynamic characteristics,including water–soil interaction and without water induced by the high-speed train loading,are studied.The main factors-the permeability coefficien and the porosity-influencin the subgrade deformation are investigated.The developed model can characterize the soil dynamic behaviour more realistically,especially when considering the influenc of water-rich soil.     

Track dynamic behavior at rail welds at high speed

As a vehicle passing through a track with different weld irregularities, the dynamic performance of track com- ponents is investigated in detail by using a coupled vehi- cle-track model. In the model, the vehicle is modeled as a multi-body system with 35 degrees of freedom, and a Timoshenko beam is used to model the rails which are dis- cretely supported by sleepers. In the track model, the sleepers are modeled as rigid bodies accounting for their vertical, lat- eral and rolling motions and assumed to move backward at a constant speed to simulate the vehicle running along the track at the same speed. In the study of the coupled vehicle and track dynamics, the Hertizian contact theory and the theory proposed by Shen-Hedrick-Elkins are, respectively, used to calculate normal and creep forces between the wheel and the rails. In the calculation of the normal forces, the coefficient of the normal contact stiffness is determined by transient contact condition of the wheel and rail surface. In the calcu- lation of the creepages, the lateral, roll-over motions of the rail and the fact that the relative velocity between the wheel and rail in their common normal direction is equal to zero are simultaneously taken into account. The motion equations of the vehicle and track are solved by means of an explicit integration method, in which the rail weld irregularities are modeled as local track vertical deviations described by some ideal cosine functions. The effects of the train speed, the axle load, the wavelength and depth of the irregularities, and the weld center position in a sleeper span on the wheel-rail impact loading are analyzed. The numerical results obtained are greatly useful in the tolerance design of welded rail pro- file irregularity caused by hand-grinding after rail welding and track maintenances.     

Interaction of subway LIM vehicle with ballasted track in polygonal wheel wear development

This paper develops a coupled dynamics model for a linear induction motor (LIM) vehicle and a subway track to investigate the influence of polygonal wheels of the vehicle on the dynamic behavior of the system. In the model, the vehicle is modeled as a multi-body system with 35 degrees of freedom. A Timoshenko beam is used to model the rails which are discretely supported by sleepers. The sleepers are modeled as rigid bodies with their vertical, lateral, and rolling motions being considered. In order to simulate the vehicle running along the track, a moving sleeper support model is introduced to simulate the excitation by the discrete sleeper supporters, in which the sleepers are assumed to move backward at a constant speed that is the same as the train speed. The Hertzian contact theory and the Shen- Hedrick-Elkins’ model are utilized to deal with the normal dynamic forces and the tangential forces between wheels and rails, respectively. In order to better characterize the linear metro system (LMS), Euler beam theory based on modal superposition method is used to model LIM and RP. The vertical electric magnetic force and the lateral restoring force between the LIM and RP are also taken into consideration. The former has gap-varying nonlinear characteristics, whilst the latter is considered as a constant restoring force of 1 kN. The numerical analysis considers the effect of the excitation due to polygonal wheels on the dynamic behavior of the system at different wear stages, in which the used data regarding the polygonal wear on the wheel tread are directly measured at the subway site.     

Analysis of vibration and frequency transmission of high speed EMU with flexible model

When the operation speed of the high-speed train increases and the weight of the carbody becomes lighter,not only does the sensitivity of the wheel/rail contact get higher,but also the vibration frequency range of the vehicle system gets enlarged and more frequencies are transmitted from the wheelset to the carbody.It is important to investigate the vibration characteristics and the dynamic frequency transmission from the wheel/rail interface to the carbody of the high-speed electric multi-uint（EMU）.An elastic highspeed vehicle dynamics model is established in which the carbody,bogieframes,and wheelsets are all dealt with as flexible body.A rigid high-speed vehicle dynamics model is set up to compare with the simulation results of the elastic model.In the rigid vehicle model,the carbody,bogieframes and wheelsets are treated as rigid component while the suspension and structure parameters are the same as used in the elastic model.The dynamic characteristic of the elastic high speed vehicle is investigated in time and frequency domains and the di ff erence of the acceleration,frequency distribution and transmission of the two types of models are presented.The results show that the spectrum power density of the vehicle decreases from the wheelset to the carbody and the acceleration transmission ratio is approximately from 1%to 10%for each suspension system.The frequency of the wheelset rotation is evident in the vibration of the flexible model and is transmitted from the wheelset to the bogieframe and to thecarbody.The results of the flexible model are more reasonable than that of the rigid model.A field test data of the high speed train are presented to verify the simulation results.It shows that the simulation results are coincident with the field test data.     

Dynamic model of vertical vehicle-subgrade coupled system under secondary suspension

As it is known, track transportation can be divided into track system above and track system below. While the train is moving, the parts above and below are interacted and influenced. Therefore, in fact, the problem of track transportation is the match between the vehicle and the railway line system. In this paper, on a basis of dynamic analysis of the vehicle-subgrade model of vertical coupled system under primary suspension, utilizing track maintenance standard and simulating track irregularity excitation, the dynamic interaction of vehicle-track-subgrade system is researched in theory and dynamic model of the vertical vehicle-track-subgrade coupled system under secondary suspension is established by compatibility condition of deformation. Even this model considers the actual structure of a vehicle, also considers vibration characteristic of the substructure of track including subgrade and foundation. All these work want to be benefit for understanding and design about the dynamic characters of subgrade in high speed railway.     

Effect of rail corrugation on vertical dynamics of railway vehicle coupled with a track

The effect of rail corrugation on the vertical dynamics of railway vehicle coupled with a curved track is investigated in detail with a numerical method when a wheelset is steadily curving. In the calculation of rail corrugation we consider the combination of Kalker‘s rolling contact theory modified, a model of material loss on rail running surface, and a dynamics model of railway vehicle coupled with a curved track. In the establishment of the dynamic model, for simplicity, one fourth of the freight car without lateral motions,namely a wheelset and the equivalent one fourth freight car body above it, is considered. The Euler beam is used to model the rails and the track structure under the rails is replaced with equivalent springs, dampers and mass bodies. The numerical results show the great influence of the rail corrugation on the vibration of the parts of the vehicle and the track, and the some characters of rail corrugation in development.     

Numerical study on wake characteristics of high-speed trains

Intensive turbulence exists in the wakes of high speed trains, and the aerodynamic performance of the trailing car could deteriorate rapidly due to complicated features of the vortices in the wake zone. As a result, the safety and amenity of high speed trains would face a great challenge. This paper considers mainly the mechanism of vortex formation and evolution in the train flow field. A real CRH2 model is studied, with a leading car, a middle car and a trailing car included. Different running speeds and cross wind conditions are considered, and the approaches of un- steady Reynold-averaged Navier-Stokes （URANS） and de- tached eddy simulation （DES） are utilized, respectively. Re- suits reveal that DES has better capability of capturing small eddies compared to URANS. However, for large eddies, the effects of two approaches are almost the same. In conditions without cross winds, two large vortex streets stretch from the train nose and interact strongly with each other in the wake zone. With the reinforcement of the ground, a complicated wake vortex system generates and becomes strengthened as the running speed increases. However, the locations of flow separations on the train surface and the separation mechanism keep unchanged. In conditions with cross winds, three large vortices develop along the leeward side of the train, among which the weakest one has no obvious influence on the wake flow while the other two stretch to the tail of the train and combine with the helical vortices in the train wake. Thus, optimization of the aerodynamic performance of the trailing car should be aiming at reducing the intensity of the wake vortex system.     

Theoretical research and experimental validation of quasi-static load spectra on bogie frame structures of high-speed trains

One of the major problems in structural fatigue life analysis is establishing structural load spectra under actual operating conditions.This study conducts theoretical research and experimental validation of quasi-static load spectra on bogie frame structures of high-speed trains.The quasistatic load series that corresponds to quasi-static deformation modes are identified according to the structural form and bearing conditions of high-speed train bogie frames.Moreover,a force-measuring frame is designed and manufactured based on the quasi-static load series.The load decoupling model of the quasi-static load series is then established via calibration tests.Quasi-static load–time histories,together with online tests and decoupling analysis,are obtained for the intermediate range of the Beijing—Shanghai dedicated passenger line.The damage consistency calibration of the quasi-static discrete load spectra is performed according to a damage consistency criterion and a genetic algorithm.The calibrated damage that corresponds with the quasi-static discrete load spectra satisfies the safety requirements of bogie frames.     

NEURO FUZZY MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF BEAMS

An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system （ANFIS） is introduced to predict the dynamic behavior of beams. The effects of axial forces and large displacements are considered in the analysis. A database of tests for the dynamic characteristics of beams is developed from the experimental tests. The responses of nonlinear vibration force for the single and multiple-stepped beams are calculated from the finite element method （FEM）, experimental tests and neuro-fuzzy model for comparison. The neuro-fuzzy model provides a general framework for the combination of neural networks and fuzzy logic. It is more flexible with more options of incorporating the fuzzy nature of the real-world system and is an useful estimation tool for the dynamic characteristics of beams. Therefore, ANFIS can be a useful tool for dynamic behaviour analysis of multiple-stepped beams subjected to axial loads and large displacement.     

Stability analyses of the mass abrasive projectile high-speed penetrating into concrete target. Part Ⅰ： Engineering model for the mass loss and nose-blunting of ogive-nosed projectiles

The mass loss and nose blunting of a projectile during high-speed deep penetration into concrete target may cause structural destruction and ballistic trajectory instability of the penetrator,obviously reducing the penetration efficiency of penetrator.Provided that the work of friction between projectile and target is totally transformed into the heat to melt penetrator material at its nose surface,an engineering model is established for the mass loss and nose-blunting of the ogive-nosed projectile.A dimensionless formula for the relative mass loss of projectile is obtained by introducing the dimensionless impact function I and geometry function N of the projectile.The critical value V c0of the initial striking velocity is formulated,and the mass loss of projectile tends to increase weakly nonlinearly with I/N when V0〉V c0,whilst the mass loss is proportional to the initial kinetic energy of projectile when V0     

Formation of uniform reduced graphene oxide films on modified PET substrates using drop-casting method

In this work,uniform reduced graphene oxide(RGO) films were formed on poly-(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) substrates using a simple drop-casting method.We investigated four types of substrates:unmodified PET,polydopamine-coated PET.carboxyl-group-modified PET,and alkyl-group-modified PET.Upon water evaporation,the surface of the polydopamine-modified PET substrates can interact with the reduced graphene oxide sheets to form flattened and continuous RGO films,which exhibit a sheet resistance of 21.75 kΩ/sq at 82%transmittance.The result indicates that the properties of the surface groups determined whether uniform and flattened RGO films could be formed on the substrates.Hence,we proposed a simple and effective way to produce transparent and conductive films in which the catechol unit exhibits a great effect on the deposition of uniform RGO films on PET substrates.     

Dynamical analysis and performance evaluation of a biped robot under multi-source random disturbances

During bipedal walking,it is critical to detect and adjust the robot postures by feedback control to maintain its normal state amidst multi-source random disturbances arising from some unavoidable uncertain factors.The radical basis function（RBF）neural network model of a five-link biped robot is established,and two certain disturbances and a randomly uncertain disturbance are then mixed with the optimal torques in the network model to study the performance of the biped robot by several evaluation indices and a specific Poincar′e map.In contrast with the simulations,the response varies as desired under optimal inputting while the output is fluctuating in the situation of disturbance driving.Simulation results from noise inputting also show that the dynamics of the robot is less sensitive to the disturbance of knee joint input of the swing leg than those of the other three joints,the response errors of the biped will be increasing with higher disturbance levels,and especially there are larger output fluctuations in the knee and hip joints of the swing leg.     

Tribological and tribochemical properties of magnetite nanoflakes as additives in oil lubricants

This detailed the tribological and tribochemical properties of magnetite(Fe_3O_4) nanoflakes used as additives in #40 base oil in a four-ball tribo-tester.The average friction coefficient of the friction pair for lubricant containing the Fe_3O_4 nanoflakes of 1.5 wt%as a lubricant additive in the base oil is decreased by18.06%compared to that of solely base oil.The chemical composition of base oil with the Fe_3O_4 nanoflake additives did not change during the 48-h friction assessment.The decreased saturation magnetization and increased coercivity of magnetite nanoflakes occurred due to the distortion of the basal planes and the presence of hematite(α-Fe_3O_4) generated by the tribochemical reactions during the friction process.The multi-layer low-shear-stress tribochemical lubrication films on the surface of the friction pair could form because the nanoflake particles arrange and adhere onto the surface of the friction pair in an orderly manner,and the tribochemical reactions of the friction pair in the presence of the nanoflakes occur as Fe→FeO→Fe_3O_4→γ-FeOOH →γ-Fe_2O_3→α-Fe_2O_3.The formation of the films can improve the tribological properties.     

Effects of wing deformation on aerodynamic performance of a revolving insect wing

Flexible wings of insects and bio-inspired micro air vehicles generally deform remarkably during flapping flight owing to aerodynamic and inertial forces,which is of highly nonlinear fluid-structure interaction（FSI）problems.To elucidate the novel mechanisms associated with flexible wing aerodynamics in the low Reynolds number regime,we have built up a FSI model of a hawkmoth wing undergoing revolving and made an investigation on the effects of flexible wing deformation on aerodynamic performance of the revolving wing model.To take into account the characteristics of flapping wing kinematics we designed a kinematic model for the revolving wing in two-fold：acceleration and steady rotation,which are based on hovering wing kinematics of hawkmoth,Manduca sexta.Our results show that both aerodynamic and inertial forces demonstrate a pronounced increase during acceleration phase,which results in a significant wing deformation.While the aerodynamic force turns to reduce after the wing acceleration terminates due to the burst and detachment of leading-edge vortices（LEVs）,the dynamic wing deformation seem to delay the burst of LEVs and hence to augment the aerodynamic force during and even after the acceleration.During the phase of steady rotation,the flexible wing model generates more ver-tical force at higher angles of attack（40°–60°）but less horizontal force than those of a rigid wing model.This is because the wing twist in spanwise owing to aerodynamic forces results in a reduction in the effective angle of attack at wing tip,which leads to enhancing the aerodynamics performance by increasing the vertical force while reducing the horizontal force.Moreover,our results point out the importance of the fluid-structure interaction in evaluating flexible wing aerodynamics：the wing deformation does play a significant role in enhancing the aerodynamic performances but works differently during acceleration and steady rotation,which is mainly induced by inertial force in acceleration but by aerodynamic forces     

Influence of disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate on hydrothermal formation of hemihydrate calcium sulfate whiskers

The influence of Na_2HPO_4·12H_2O on the hydrothermal formation of hemihydrate calcium sulfate(CaSO_4·0.5H_2O) whiskers from dihydrate calcium sulfate(CaSO_4·2H_2O)at 135 ℃ was investigated.Experimental results indicate that the addition of phosphorus accelerates the hydrothermal conversion of CaSO_4·2H_2O to CaSO_4·0.5H_2O via the formation of Ca_3(PO_4)_2 and produces CaSO_4-0.5H_2O whiskers with thinner diameters and shorter lengths.Compared with the blank experiment without Na_2HPO_4·12H_2O,the existence of minor amounts(8.65 ×10~(-4)-4.36 × 10~(-3) mol/L) of Na_2HPO_4·12H_2O led to a decrease in the diameter of CaSO_4·0.5H_2O whiskers from 1.0-10.0 to 0.5-2.0 μm and lengths from 70-300 to50-200 μm.     

Preparation of calcium sulfate whiskers from FGD gypsum via hydrothermal crystallization in the H2SO4-NaCl-H2O system

Little attention has thus far been paid to the potential effect of solution composition on the hydrothermal crystallization of calcium sulfate whiskers prepared from flue-gas desulfurization(FGD) gypsum.When purified FGD gypsum was used as raw material,the morphology and phase structure of the hydrothermal products grown in pure water,H_2SO_4-H_2O,NaCl-H_2O,and H_2SO_4-NaCl-H_2O solutions as well as the solubility of purified FGD gypsum in these solutions were investigated.The results indicate that calcium sulfate whiskers grow favorably in the H_2SO_4-NaCl-H_2O system.When prepared using 10-70 g NaCl/kg gypsum-0.01 M H_2SO_4-H_2O at 130 ℃ for 60 min,the obtained calcium sulfate whiskers had diameters ranging from 3 to 5 |xm and lengths from 200 to 600 |xm,and their phase structure was calcium sulfate hemihydrate(HH).Opposing effects of sulfuric acid and sodium chloride on the solubility of the purified FGD gypsum were observed.With the co-presence of sulfuric acid and sodium chloride in the reaction solution,the concentrations of Ca~(2+) and SO_4~(2-) can be kept relatively stable,which implies that the crystallization of the hydrothermal products can be controlled by changing the concentrations of sulfuric acid and sodium chloride.     

Power regulation of kinematic control inputs for forward flying Drosophila

The choices of insect wing kinematic programs is not well understood,particularly the mechanism by which an insect selects a distortion to achieve flight control.A methodology to evaluate prospective kinematic control inputs is presented based on the reachable states when control actuation was constrained to a unit of power.The method implements a computationally-derived reduced order model of the insect’s flight dynamics combined with calculation of power requirement.Four kinematic inputs are evaluated based on this criterion for a Drosophila size insect in forward flight.Stroke bias is shown to be the dominant control input using this power normalized evaluation measure.     

Aerodynamic interaction between forewing and hindwing of a hovering dragonfly

The phase change between the forewing and hindwing is a distinct feature that sets dragonfly apart from other insects.In this paper,we investigated the aerodynamic effects of varying forewing-hindwing phase di ff erence with a60 inclined stroke plane during hovering flight.Force measurements on a pair of mechanical wing models showed that in-phase flight enhanced the forewing lift by 17%and the hindwing lift was reduced at most phase differences.The total lift of both wings was also reduced at most phase di ff erences and only increased at a phase range around in-phase.The results may explain the commonly observed behavior of the dragonfly where 0 is employed in acceleration.We further investigated the wing-wing interaction mechanism using the digital particle image velocimetry（PIV）system,and found that the forewing generated a downwash flow which is responsible for the lift reduction on the hindwing.On the other hand,an upwash flow resulted from the leading edge vortex of the hindwing helps to enhance lift on the forewing.The results suggest that the dragonflies alter the phase di ff erences to control timing of the occurrence of flow interactions to achieve certain aerodynamic effects.