Development of a Computer Model for Prediction of Collision Response of a Railroad Passenger Car

The paper describes the development of a detailed finite element model that is capable of predicting the response of a rail passenger car to collision conditions. This model was developed to predict the car crush, the three-dimensional gross motions of the car, and the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal accelerations experienced by the car during collisions. The finite element model developed was for a Pioneer passenger coach car. This vehicle was used in a single car impact test. The model was then used to simulate the test and the results are compared to the test data.