A heavy-haul train longitudinal-vertical coupled dynamics model and its dynamic behaviour under emergency braking

The heavy-haul train dynamic performance under emergency braking is complex and directly affects the reliability and running safety. To reveal the heavy-haul train dynamic behaviour in emergency braking process on the long downhill segments, a comprehensive heavy-haul train longitudinal-vertical coupled dynamics model (HTLVDM) that considers the air braking system and coupler draft gear system is established in this paper. HTLVDM considers the components of the locomotive and wagon, such as the wheelset, bogie frame, and car body. The coupler force model considers the nonlinear hysteresis characteristic of the coupler draft gear system. The braking delay time and pressure variation of the brake cylinders are taken into the air braking model. In addition, the validity of HTLVDM is verified by published data. Based on the real-world data of the Shuozhou-Huanghua Line and the established model, the HTLVDM's dynamic responses are analysed through numerical simulations. The results indicate that both the brake forces and coupler forces have a significant effect on the wheel-rail dynamic interactions and the dynamic response of the car body in the heavy-haul train.