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Rail Equipment Crashworthiness Research

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Impact Test of a Crash-Energy Management Passenger Rail Car

This video compares footage from the full-scale test to the collision dynamics model for the single-car test of Crash Energy Management (CEM) equipment. This test was conducted on December 3, 2003 at the Technology Transportation Center in Pueblo, Colorado. A single passenger rail car retrofitted with a CEM end structure impacted a rigid fixed barrier at approximately 35 mph.

The first clip shows a side-view of the CEM collision dynamics model impacting a wall at 35 mph. The primary components of the crush zone are modeled as individual mass-spring components: pushback coupler (red), sliding sill (green), fixed sill (pink) and roof absorbers (yellow). Each component is defined by a non-linear force-crush characteristic. This simulation shows the sequence of events as each component crushes. The coupler contacts the wall first and pushes back, allowing the sliding sill and roof absorbers to crush. At 35 mph, the end of the car crushes a total of 3 feet.

The second portion of the video shows a side view of the single car test. The knuckle of the coupler initially contacts the wall and pushes back. When the coupler has reached full stroke (approximately 8 inches), the end frame contacts the wall. Load is transmitted to the end frame (at the end beam and anti-telescoping plate). A structural trigger mechanism allows the end frame to push back crushing the primary energy absorbers and the roof absorbers. The vehicle experiences minimal lateral and vertical motions.

iew analysis and test video:
Small MPEG (14.1MB)
Large MPEG (33.8MB)
Windows Media (428KB)
View text description of video.

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