Multi-body dynamics modelling and simulation analysis for Australian rolling stock crashworthiness

A three-dimensional non-linear multi-body dynamics model has been developed for the investigation of the crashworthiness of a “typical” Australian passenger train. The applications of crushable plastic elements in the model refer to the Crash Energy Management (CEM) system, consisting of high energy (HE) and low energy (LE) crush zones of the train. The parametric study on a CEM system is carried out using the models of a single vehicle and multiple vehicles. For the higher crash speeds, the crush length or crush force or both of the crush zones should be enlarged. It is better to increase the crush length than to increase the crush force in order to decrease the level of vehicle car body’s longitudinal impact deceleration. Further simulations on multiple vehicles show that the number of vehicles significantly affects the design of HE and LE crush zones.