Dynamic Stability and Curving Performance of Railway Vehicles

This paper presents the hunting stability and curving performance of high speed rail vehicles. Considering non-linear creep force and flange contact, the lateral force of the leading wheel on outer rail is calculated in steady state curve negotiation. The critical speed of wheelset and the truck hunting are also calculated. The influences of the linkage which is so-called cross-anchor linkage, the linkage between wheelset and truck frame, and secondary suspensions which are composed of bolster anchors, anti-yaw damper and primary anti-yaw damper are examined. The results are compared with analytical solutions of an optimal design proposed by the authors for good stability and curving performance. Finally the design of truck suspension is discussed. By studying the difference among analytical vehicle models, it is proved that it is possible for analysis of hunting stability to use a truck model or a half body model. Moreover, the calculation results of hunting stability by using the half body model are compared to agree well with the test results of a vehicle conducted on roller rig in Railway Technical Research Institute of Japanese National Railways.