Numerical Dynamic Simulation of a Train Set Running on Ballasted Track after Derailment

The dynamic motion of a train set will be affected by the change in running resistance as the wheels run over sleepers or ballast. It is therefore important to determine the motion of vehicles in such situations both experimentally and theoretically. A 1 to 10 scale model vehicle was used to perform running tests during which the vehicle was made to collide against model iron sleepers. Further running tests were carried out involving a real single bogie falling onto ballast or a concrete sleeper. These experiments were used as a basis to develop a numerical simulation program, capable of calculating the dynamic motion of a train after its derailment, and computed dynamic behavior of 5 cars after their derailment.