Analysis and Optimization of an Expansion Energy-Absorbing Anti-Crawler for Rail Vehicles

Zelong Zhao and Ping Xu ()
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Zelong Zhao: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track, Ministry of Education, School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China
Ping Xu: Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track, Ministry of Education, School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410075, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: This paper describes the crashworthiness optimization of an intumescent energy-absorbing anti-crawler, which was applied to anti-crawling devices for rail vehicles. The energy absorption characteristics of the expansion-type energy-absorbing anti-crawler were studied experimentally, a finite element model (FEM) was established, and the finite element simulation results were verified with the experimental results. In this paper, the response of the expansion structure was predicted using a validated finite element model. Then, the effects of the variables (expansion tube thickness ( T ), friction coefficient ( μ ), and slope angle of conical mandrel ( α )) on the response were sampled using the design-of-experiments (DOE) method, including a full factorial design and a central composite. Based on these samples, an alternative model was developed using the moving least-squares method (MLSM). Using the results from the full factorial design for main effects analysis, T was found to have the most significant effect on the average force ( F avg ), while α had the greatest effect on the specific energy absorption ( SEA ). The F avg , fracture strain, thickness, taper, and friction coefficient of the structure were used as constraints, and the multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) method was used for parameter optimization to obtain a higher SEA . Finally, the best parameters ( T = 5.76 mm, μ = 0.178, α = 25°) with an SEA value of 36.52 kJ/kg were obtained. The SEA value was increased by 31.70% compared to the initial results.

Keywords: anti-crawling devices; expansion-type energy absorber; crashworthiness analysis; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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