Structural Analysis of Aerodynamic Brakes in High-Speed Trains

Ivana Vasović

Mirko Maksimović

Mirjana Puharić

Dušan Matić

Suzana Linić

Aerodynamic problems in railway trains are closely associated with flows occurring around trains. The main objective of this paper is to present the results of the finite element method for stress and stability analysis of aerodynamic brakes in high speed trains (HST). The aerodynamic brake is defined as a stiffened plate subjected to lateral pressure load considering buckling behaviour. The shell finite elements are used to model a stiffened type construction. A well-established commercially available Finite Element program MSC/NASTRAN has been chosen for the purpose. The CFD analysis is used to determine aerodynamic load.

Key words: train, aerodynamic brake, aerodynamic load, stress state, stress analysis, stability analysis, fluid dynamics, numerical simulation, finite element method.