Cargo response to railcar impact and tiedown load analysis
An analytical study that investigated the loads produced during coupling of railcars carrying heavy shipping containers is described. The structural model of the impact event is represented by a lumped parameter technique. Each discrete mass lump possesses longitudinal, vertical, and rotational degrees of freedom. The resulting computer simulation provides for nonlinear railcar coupler stiffness and linear damping forces in the coupler and container tiedowns. Results include response to parametric variations in container weight, impact speed, and tiedown stiffness. Container dynamic response and tiedown loads are found to depend heavily on these parameters. Also, railcar bending and subsequent vertical motion are shown to be important contributors to these responses. When experimentally substantiated, the model can serve as a useful tool in the design and evaluation of shipping container tiedown structures.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6854404
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-78-1210; CONF-780506-10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
420204* -- Engineering-- Shipping Containers
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
CASKS
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAINERS
DYNAMIC LOADS
IMPACT SHOCK
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOTION
R CODES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RAIL TRANSPORT
RAILWAYS
SAFETY
SPENT FUEL CASKS
TRAINS
TRANSPORT
VEHICLES