Dynamic interaction analysis of a Shinkansen train and the railway structure under seismic loads

In this paper, an efficient numerical model for the dynamic interaction analysis of a Shinkansen train (bullet train) and the railway structure under seismic loads is given. The motion of a Shinkansen train is modeled in multibody dynamics in which nonlinear springs and dampers are used to connect components. A simple and efficient mechanical model to express the interaction between wheel and rail is described. A three-dimensional nonlinear spring element based on a trilinear elastic-plastic material model with kinematic hardening is presented to solve the dynamic interaction of the train and the railway structure in elastic-plastic behavior under seismic loads effectively. A loop structure is devised for the railway structure which is made of the same structure section connected repeatedly to obtain an approximated combined response of the high-speed train with many cars connected and the railway structure under seismic loads effectively. Based on the present method, a computer program DIASTARS for the simulation of a Shinkansen train running on the railway structure under seismic loads has been developed. Numerical examples are demonstrated.