Evaluation of Strength of End Structures in Intermediate Rolling Stock of a Train During Train Collision Accidents

Abstract

This evaluation deals with the structural design standard for rolling stock body structures from the viewpoint of the crashworthiness. Current Japanese Industrial Standard JIS E 7106 Code, which defines the minimum static loading conditions required to provide structural integrity of carbody structures for their normal operation, does not explicitly take the crashworthiness into account. Here, one of the detailed FE models for the end structures of EMUs, designed in accordance with the JIS E 7106 standard, was taken as an example, and numerical analysis was carried out under several irregular loading conditions such as the collision of end structures of intermediate rolling stock in a rake, caused by overriding or train set buckling occurring during train collision accidents. The results of the numerical analyses have shown some points that need to be resolved in terms of the strength of the super structures as well as draw gears around coupling devices.