Soft soil track interaction modeling in single rigid body tracked vehicle models

Single rigid body models are often used for fast simulation of tracked vehicle dynamics on soft soils. Modeling of soil-track interaction forces is the key modeling aspect here. Accuracy of the soil-track interaction model depends on calculation of soil deformation in track contact patch and modeling of soil resistive response to this deformation. An algorithmic method to calculate soft soil deformation at points in track contact patch, during spatial motion simulation using single body models of tracked vehicles, is discussed here. Improved calculations of shear displacement distribution in the track contact patch compared to existing methods, and realistically modeling plastically deformable nature of soil in the sinkage direction in single body modeling of tracked vehicle, are the novel contributions of this paper. Results of spatial motion simulation from a single body model using the proposed method and from a higher degree of freedom multibody model are compared for motion over flat and uneven terrains. Single body modeling of tracked vehicle using the proposed method affords quicker results with sufficient accuracy when compared to those obtained from the multibody model.     

Fast dynamic modeling for off-road track vehicles

The paper presents a simple, fast, and reliable dynamic model for an off-road track vehicle operating on terrain with obstacles. The method has been proven previously for wheeled-vehicle formulation. The model is based on a discrete body dynamics (DBD) method, which leads to simplistic linear decoupled motion equations. In this method, joints and bodies with relatively small mass are replaced with stiff springs and dampers, eliminating the system’s constraints and reducing the number of system bodies; this is important for accelerating the simulation runtime of the track vehicle model. The track in this approach is based on modeling each link as a point-mass. Two consecutive links are connected by stiff springs and dampers. This approach reduces the calculation time and increases system stability. The track–soil interaction was modeled using Bekker’s and Janosi’s formulation (Bekker, 1956; Hanamoto and Janosi, 1961). Specific soil properties were obtained for each link–soil interaction from soil classification and GIS. The link–ground contact was determined from topographic surface and adjustment of the force and direction acting on the track. The results of the simulation using the DBD method were compared with Siemens' VL commercial multibody dynamics program and with experiments reported in the literature. Results using the proposed method were found to be similar to the commercial program based on published experiments. The solution runtimes obtained for unpaved soil were two orders faster with the DBD method compared with the Siemens' VL program. The model was written as an independent software infrastructure, enabling easy integration with any other software component, such as a control system. The algorithm is in a suitable form for parallel processing calculation to speed up the runtime simulation close to real-time.     

A track-laying air cushion vehicle

Almost no previous research has dealt with the design of a track-laying air cushion vehicle. Preliminary estimates indicated that the total power requirement would be high, so means of reducing the likely power consumption were studied. An analysis of the behaviour of three track layouts made it possible to compare their power efficiencies under a wide range of operating conditions. A two track articulated configuration was generally the most efficient. To minimize loss pressurised air the exit gap height between track and side skirt must be small, but an unstable heave motion is prone to develop under these conditions. The heave motion characteristics of a plenum air cushion were, therefore, investigated theoretically and guidelines for design established. These were used in the design of a $\text{3}\text{4}$ scale model of one track of a 20,000 N air track vehicle. The model incorporated a new type of side skirt assembly which can react automatically to vertical motion of the lower track run. The new skirt was stable in heave and was reasonably effective in avoiding local closure of the air exit gap when the track belt was raised on small simulated bumps. It was confirmed that the original estimates of blower power required by an air cushion track were of the right order.     

Response of railway track system on poroelastic half-space soil medium subjected to a moving train load

Based on the dynamic poroelastic theory of Biot, dynamic responses of a track system and poroelastic half-space soil medium subjected to moving train passages are investigated by the substructure method. The whole system is divided into two separately formulated substructures, the track and the ground, and the rail is described by introducing the Green function for an infinitely long Euler beam subjected to the action of moving axle loads of the train and the reactions of the sleeper. Sleepers are represented by a continuous mass and the effect of the ballast is considered by introducing the Cosserat model for granular medium. Using the double Fourier transform, the governing equations of motion are then solved analytically in the frequency-wave-number domain. The time domain responses are evaluated by the inverse Fourier transform computation for a certain train speed. Computed results show that the shape of the rail displacements of the elastic and poroelastic soil medium are in good agreement with each other of the low train velocity, but the result of the poroelastic soil medium is significantly different to that of the elastic soil medium for the high train velocity which is higher than Rayleigh-wave speed in the soil. The influence of the soil intrinsic permeability on soil responses is discussed with great care in both time domain and frequency domain. The dynamic responses of the soil medium are considerably affected by the fluid phase as well as the load velocity.     

Evaluation and prediction of energy losses in track-terrain interaction

The interaction between an aggressive track with a soil substrate is examined with a view to development of a better knowledge of the manner in which energy is transferred and dissipated in the bearing soil substrate. The test tracks are tested in the laboratory tow bin. In addition substrate soil deformation and distortion are measured during multiple grouser motion in separate experiments for determination of the specific participants contributing to the expenditure of the energy transmitted by the track or multiple grouser test system. Application of the principle of energy transfer and conservation, using measured soil deformations and distortions for computations of energy expenditure in the soil due to track loading compares well with the measured values of drawbar pull when energy loss is subtracted from input energy. Application of this method of evaluation of track-terrain interaction allows for a better means of understanding the basic issues involved in the development of tractive efficiency.     

Numerical simulation and testing verification of the interaction between track and sandy ground based on discrete element method

Tractive effort of tracked vehicles plays an important role in military and agricultural fields. In order to solve the problem of low precision in numerical simulation of the interaction between track and sandy ground, a systematic and accurate discrete element modeling method for sandy road was proposed. The sandy ground was modeled according to the mechanical parameters measured by soil mechanics tests. The interaction coefficients of sandy soil were measured by the repose angle test and triaxial compression test combined with the corresponding simulation. On this basis, a discrete element interaction model of track-sandy ground was established, which can be used to test the tractive effort of track. Numerical simulation calculation of track model at different speeds was carried out, and the simulation results were compared with the results of indoor soil bin test for verification. The verification results show that the interaction between track and sandy ground based on DEM simulation is consistent with the actual soil bin test. The discrete element modeling method in this paper can be used to model the track and sandy ground accurately, and the simulation model can be used to test the tractive effort of tracked vehicle.     

Modelling the traction of a prototype track based on soil–rubber friction and adhesion

An experimental track layer tractor, based on an Allis Chalmers 8070 tractor (141 kW) was tested on bitumen covered concrete and on cultivated sandy loam at 7.8%; 13% and 21% soil water content. The two articulated beam-type tracks (500 mm wide × 2000 mm soil contact length) were constructed out of 500 mm long and 70 mm wide rubber covered steel track elements, carried by five steel cables (36 mm diameter). The tracks resisted inward deflection but allowed outward articulation between two smooth rear driving and two smooth front pneumatic truck tires (1060 mm diameter) per track. The contact pressure and the tangential force on an instrumented track element, as well as the total torque input to one track, were simultaneously recorded during the drawbar pull/slip tests.

Different possible pressure distribution profiles under the tracks were considered and compared to the recorded data. Two possible traction models are proposed, one constant pressure model for minimal inward track deflection, and a deformable track model with inward deflection and a higher contact pressure at both the front free-wheeling and rear driving tires. For both models, the traction force was generated mainly by rubber/soil friction and adhesion and limited soil shear. A close agreement between the measured and predicted contact pressures and traction force for individual track elements, based on the deformable track model, was observed. The recorded and calculated coefficient of traction based on the summation of the force for the series of track elements were comparable, but were considerably lower than the predicted values, probably due to internal track friction rather than soil sinkage. The tractive efficiency for both a hard or soft surface was also unacceptably low, probably caused by internal track friction.     

Microvibration control of coupled high tech equipment-building systems in vertical direction

Vertical ground motion induced by a moving train is one of the major sources of environmental loads that affect the normal operation of sensitive equipment installed in a high tech building nearby the railway. This paper investigates the microvibration level of a high tech building subject to nearby train-induced vertical ground motion and its mitigation using a hybrid control platform for sensitive equipment. The hybrid platform is an elastic body mounted on the building floor through a series of passive mounts and controlled by hydraulic actuators with a sub-optimal control algorithm. The finite element model and the governing equations of motion of the coupled platform-building system are established in the absolute coordinate to facilitate the feedback control and performance evaluation of the platform. The time histories of vertical ground motion are generated from the ground motion spectra that are the functions of track, train, and soil parameters. Numerical simulation and parametric studies are conducted on a typical three-story high tech building. The results show that the use of hybrid control platform can effectively reduce vertical microvibration of a batch of high tech equipment to the level satisfying the most stringent microscale velocity requirement specified in the BBN criteria. The hybrid control platform is superior to the passive platform because of its higher performance and robustness.     

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.     

Instability of an oscillator moving along a Timoshenko beam on viscoelastic foundation

The paper herein presents an analysis of the vibration instability phenomenon of a three-mass oscillator that is uniformly moving along a continuously viscoelastic supported Timoshenko beam, due to the anomalous Doppler waves excited in the beam. Such phenomenon may appear in the case of railway trains crossing areas with soft soil when the train velocity exceeds the phase velocity of the waves induced in the track structure. The model proposed here corresponds to a two-level suspension vehicle running on a track and it includes the wheel/rail contact nonlinearities (the Hertzian contact characteristic and the possibility of contact loss). First, the velocities at the stability limit are calculated by means of the D-decomposition method via a new form of the characteristic equation based on the receptances; the characteristic equation has been obtained using the Green’s function of the differential operator of the Laplace transformed equations of motion. Therefore, the stability map including two stability/instability zones has been determined. Secondly, the time-domain analysis of the dynamic behavior due to the stability loss has been performed by solving the equations of motion in virtue of the convolution theorem. The previously determined velocities at the stability limit have been confirmed via the time-domain analysis applied to the linear approximation of the equations of motion. Thirdly, the limit cycle characterizing the unstable motion is analyzed. This takes the form of successive shocks, exhibiting a very high magnitude of the contact force, especially in the case of the velocities within the second unstable zone.     

Kinematics and dynamics of a particle on a non-simple harmonic vibrating screen

The motion of a particle on a screen is directly affected by the motion of the screen if airflow and intergranular friction are ignored. To study this effect, a mathematical model was established to analyze the motion of a planar reciprocating vibrating screen, and a matrix method was employed to derive its equation of motion. The motion of the screen was simulated numerically and analyzed using MATLAB. The results show that the screen undergoes non-simple harmonic motion and the law of motion of each point in the screen is different. The tilt angle of the screen during screening is not constant but varies according to a specific periodic function. The results of numerical simulations were verified through experiments. A high-speed camera was used to track the motion of three points in the longitudinal direction of the screen. The balance equation for forces acting on a single particle on the screen was derived based on the non-simple harmonic motion of the screen. These forces were simulated using MATLAB. Different types of particle motion like slipping forward, moving backward, and being tossed to different parts of the screen were analyzed. A vibro-impact motion model for a particle on the non-simple harmonic vibrating screen was established based on the nonlinear law of motion of the particle. The stability of fixed points of the map is discussed. Regimes of different particle behaviors such as stable periodic motion, period-doubling bifurcation motion, Hopf bifurcation motion, and chaotic motion were obtained. With the actual law of motion of the screen and the behavior of a particle on the screen, a theoretical basis for design optimization of the screen is provided.     

车-桥-线竖平面振动及其能量转化机制精细建模

建立了考虑车-桥(线)纵向振动及其能量相互转化机制的竖平面内精细耦合运动方程.将车-桥(线)视为一个整体系统,车辆各剐体的纵向运动均作为独立的自由度,考虑到车-桥(线)纵向振动及其能量相互转化机制,车辆驱动或制动作用采用轮轨间的纵向相互作用力和轮对作用力矩模拟,桥梁、线路结构采用梁单元离散,线路与桥梁之间的钢轨基础采用竖向和纵向的均布弹簧阻尼连接,建立了竖平面内精细耦合运动方程,它可合理模拟车桥(线)间能量相互转化的过程.简支梁桥算例表明:车辆在桥上无驱动或制动运行过程中,不考虑轨道结构时车速先增加后减小,而考虑轨道结构时车速只有减小的趋势,轮对还发生了高频的纵向振动,且车体和轮对的纵向振动对轨道竖向不平顺较为敏感;此外,考虑轮轨滚动碾压作用和能量转化机制时,钢轨加速度响应略偏大.本文研究可为实际车辆动态变速运行的模拟和更精细空间耦合模型的建立提供研究基础.     

A modular algorithm for linear, periodic train-track models

Summary  An algorithm is presented which can be used for the investigation of a large variety of train-track models. These models only have to fulfil the requirements of linearity and periodicity with respect to the track length direction. A steady-state solution is obtained for a vehicle moving on a tangent track with constant velocity. The algorithm itself can be split into three modules: one for the whole train-track system, one for the track, and one for a single rail support. These modules and their interfaces are described in detail. The article demonstrates the applicability of the algorithm by means of four examples. The first example shows the influence of the sleeper elasticity on the sleeper motion. The second one illustrates the effect of an advanced subsoil model on the wheel/rail contact force. Subsequently, as a further example, the compliance frequency-response functions of a ballasted track and a rigid track are compared. The last example deals with the sleeper passing excitation. Here, it is shown that even in the case of resonance, the wheel/rail contact-force fluctuations remain below ten percent of the static value. Received 17 January 2000; accepted for publication 18 August 2000     

轨下支承失效对直线轨道动态响应的影响

建立了基于Timoshenko梁模型的车辆/轨道耦合动力学模型,分析轨下支承失效对直线轨道动态响应的影响. 钢轨被视为连续弹性离散点支承上的无限长Timoshenko梁,通过假设轨道系统刚度沿纵向分布发生突变来模拟轨下支承失效状态. 推导了考虑钢轨横向、垂向和扭转运动的轮轨滚动接触蠕滑率计算公式. 利用Hertz法向接触理论和沈氏蠕滑理论计算轮轨法向力及轮轨滚动接触蠕滑力. 采用移动轨下支承模型的车辆/轨道耦合系统激振模式,考虑轨枕离散支承对系统动力响应的影响. 通过新型显式积分法求解车辆/轨道耦合动力学系统运动方程,由数值分析计算得到不同轨下支承失效状态下直线轨道的动态响应. 结果表明,轨下支承失效对直线轨道变形及加速度有显著的影响,随着失效轨下支承个数的增加,轮轨相互作用力和轨道部件的位移、加速度将会急剧增大,将加速失效区段线路状况的恶化.      

Investigation of the soil thrust interference effect for tracked unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) using model track tests

The traction force of a tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) depends on the soil thrust generated by the shearing action on the soil-track interface. In the development of soil thrust, because the continuous-track system consists of a number of single-track systems connected to each other, interference occurs between the adjacent single-track systems through the surrounding soil. Thus, the total soil thrust of the continuous-track system is not equal to the sum of the soil thrust of each single-track system, and the interference effect needs to be carefully considered. In this study, model track tests were conducted on model single-, double-, and triple-track systems according to relative density of soil and shape ratio (i.e., the length of the track plate to grouser depth). The test results indicated that the interference effect reduced soil thrust due to the overlapping shear zones between adjoining single-track systems. The loss of soil thrust increased as the relative density of the soil increased and the shape ratio decreased. Based on these findings, a soil thrust multiplier that can be utilized to assess the soil thrust of a continuous-track system was developed.     

“特斯拉刹车失灵”事件的车辆运动模型与分析

“特斯拉刹车失灵”事件引起社会热议,本文根据现代车辆的阿克曼转向原理,利用车辆运动方程构建了模型,结合特斯拉公布的数据还原了事故发生前的行车状态和轨迹。结果与车主张女士对事故的定性描述一致,由此判断特斯拉提供的数据基本可信。在此基础上,本文还对网友和车主提出的三方面质疑进行了讨论,本文认为事发时车辆制动系统是正常工作的,车辆存在超速行驶的可能。

     

Geometry and differentiability requirements in multibody railroad vehicle dynamic formulations

The dynamic equations of multibody railroad vehicle systems can be formulated using different sets of generalized coordinates; examples of these sets of coordinates are the absolute Cartesian and trajectory coordinates. The absolute coordinate based formulations do not require introducing an intermediate track coordinate system since all the absolute coordinates are defined in the global system. On the other hand, when the trajectory coordinates are used, a track coordinate system that follows the motion of a body in the railroad vehicle system is introduced. This track coordinate system is defined by the track geometry and the distance traveled by the body along the track centerline. The configuration of the body with respect to the track coordinate system is defined using five coordinates; two translations and three Euler angles. In this paper, the formulations based on the absolute and trajectory coordinates are compared. It is shown that these two sets of coordinates require different degrees of differentiability and smoothness. When an elastic contact formulation is used to study the wheel/rail dynamic interaction, there are significant differences in the order of the derivatives required in both formulations. In fact, as demonstrated in this study, in the absence of a contact constraint formulation, higher order derivatives with respect to geometric parameters are still required when the equations are formulated using the trajectory coordinates. The formulation of the constraints used in the analysis of the wheel/rail contact is discussed and it is shown that when the absolute coordinates are used, only third order derivatives need to be evaluated. The relationship between the track frame used in railroad vehicle dynamics and the Frenet frame used in the theory of curves to describe the curve geometry is also discussed in this paper. Based on the analysis presented in this paper, the advantages and drawbacks of a hybrid method which employs both the absolute and trajectory coordinates and planar contact conditions in order to reduce the number of contact constraints and relax the differentiability requirements are discussed. In this method, the absolute coordinates are used to formulate the equations of motion of the railroad vehicle system. The absolute coordinate solution can be used to determine the trajectory coordinates and their time derivatives. Using the trajectory coordinates, the motion of the body in the vehicle with respect to the track coordinate system can be predicted and used in the formulation of the planar contact model.     

Periodically supported beam on a visco-elastic layer as a model for dynamic analysis of a high-speed railway track

This paper presents a theoretical study of the steady state dynamic response of a railway track to a moving train. The model for the railway track consists of two beams on periodically positioned supports that are mounted on a visco-elastic 3D layer. The beams, supports, and layer are employed to model the rails, sleepers and soil, respectively. The axle loading of the train is modeled by point loads that move on the beams. A method is presented that allows to obtain an expression for the steady-state deflection of the rails in a closed form. On the basis of this expression, the vertical deflection of the rails and its dependence on the velocity of the train is analyzed. Critical velocities of the train are determined and the effect of the material damping in the sub-soil and in the pads on the track response at these critical velocities is studied. The effect of the periodic inhomogeneity of the track introduced by the sleepers is studied by comparing the dynamic response of the model at hand to that of a homogenized model, in which the supports are assumed to be not discrete but uniformly distributed along the track. It is shown that the vertical deflection of the rails predicted by these models resemble almost perfectly. The elastic drag experienced by a high-speed train due to excitation of track vibrations is studied. Considering a French TGV as an example, this drag is calculated using both the inhomogeneous and homogenized models of the track and then compared to the rolling and aerodynamic drag.     

A skid steering model using the Magic Formula

The paper describes a computer model for predicting the steering performance and power flows of a notional skid steered tracked vehicle. The force/slip characteristics of the rubber track pads are calculated by means of the so-called Magic Formula. Relevant parameters for the Magic Formula are derived from the limited amount of data available from traction tests with a tracked vehicle on a hard surface. The computer model considers the vehicle in steady state motion on curves of various radii and allows for lateral and longitudinal weight transfer, roll and pitch motions and the effects of track tension forces. Vehicle dimensions, Magic Formula parameters and the equations of motion are set up in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and solutions obtained using the Solver routine. Model outputs are described in terms of driver control input and various power flows against lateral acceleration. Maximum lateral acceleration is generally limited by the available engine power. In some conditions the outer track sprocket could be transmitting almost twice the maximum net engine power. For vehicles with a single electric motor/inverter driving each sprocket, these units would need to be able to transmit these high intermittent powers.