Abstract
For this study, "Rigidity Test Car" have been designed and manufactured to investigate how non-structural members in the carbody influence on the rigidity and the vibration characteristics of a commuter type railway vehicle. Reinforcing beams, posts and joists, which are so designed as to be easily attached or removed, are installed to the ceiling, the side panels and the floor. Excitation tests have been performed, and the results have shown that the non-structural members, as well as the main (outer) body structures, have largely affected the natural frequencies, vibration shapes and response accelerations of the carbody. It is estimated by the FEM analysis that the mass of the reinforcing components can be reduced without changing natural frequencies and vibration shapes.
