Numerical analysis of collision between locomotive and passenger car located on level crossing

The main aim of this study is to carry out dynamic finite element analysis of a collision between shunting locomotive and a passenger car. Numerical simulations include side impact of the running locomotive in the vehicle situated across the track on a level crossing. A considered locomotive based on a popular diesel-electric shunting locomotive SM42 but it was slightly modernized in comparison with the original. Finite element model of the locomotive was developed by the authors whereas the vehicle FE model was download from the National Crashworthiness Analysis Center database and it was dedicated to the crash/impact analyses. FE analysis was carried out according to the PN-EN 15227 standard which provides crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicle bodies. However, additional objective of the analysis was to evaluate the behaviour of a small passenger car during the side impact with about 70-ton locomotive. A subcompact passenger car – Geo Metro – was selected as a representative for the study. One of the design collision scenario impact into low obstacle for railway vehicles operated on national and regional networks. LS-DYNA computer code was used for the simulations. The paper presents selected results of analysis generally focused on the locomotive frame behaviour. Contour of stress for the moment of time is presented. Moreover, time histories of selected parameters are depicted. The energy balance was also checked in order to confirm the accuracy of analysis.