Dynamic gauging assessment using multi-body simulation - investigation of the effect of the track & the operating conditions

Structure gauge assessment is needed to ensure that the rolling stock runs safely without coming unacceptably close to infrastructure or to another vehicle running on adjacent tracks. The aim of this paper is to propose an approach that uses multi-body simulation software Vampire (R) to analyse the dynamic gauging for any rolling stock, infrastructure and running condition. The approach allows especially assessing the gap between the swept envelope and the limit gauge defined in the French railway standard. A parametric study was carried out in order to assess the influence of the speed, the track design and the track quality on the behaviour of the passenger coach. The results showed a combined influence of the cross-section and the track quality on the swept envelope and highlighted the effect of the track/wheelset transverse clearance on the tangent track.