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  • Tao Wang, Shaoliang Wu, Hengqiong Jia, Zhao Wei, Haiyan Li, Piyan Shao, Shanqing Peng, Yi Shi
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 447-458.
    Purpose

    The construction of cement asphalt (CA) emulsified mortar can obviously disturb the slab status after the fine adjustment. To decrease or eliminate the influence of CA mortar grouting on track slab geometry status, the effects of grouting funnel, slab pressing method, mortar expansion ratio, seepage ratio and grouting area on China Railway Track System Type (CRTS I) track slab geometry status were discussed in this paper.

    Design/methodology/approach

    Combined with engineering practice, this paper studied the expansion law of filling layer mortar, the liquid level height of the filling funnel, the pressure plate device and the amount of exudation water and systematically analyzed the influence of filling layer mortar construction on the state of track slab. Relevant precautions and countermeasures were put forward.

    Findings

    The results showed that the track slab floating values of four corners were different with the CA mortar grouting and the track slab corner near CA mortar grouting hole had the maximum floating values. The anti-floating effect of "7" shaped slab pressing device was more efficient than fixed-joint angle iron, and the slab floating value could be further decreased by increasing the amount of "7" shaped slab pressing devices. After CA mortar grouting, the track slab floating pattern had a close correlation with the expansion rate and water seepage rate of CA mortar over time and the expansion and water seepage rate of the mortar were faster when the temperature was high. Furthermore, the use of strip CA mortar filling under the rail bearing platform on both sides could effectively reduce the float under the track slab, and it could also save mortar consumption and reduce costs.

    Originality/value

    This study plays an important role in controlling the floating values, CA mortar dosage and the building cost of projects by grouting CA mortar at two flanks of filling space. The research results have guiding significance for the design and construction of China's CRTS Ⅰ, CRTS Ⅱ and CRTS Ⅲ track slab.

  • Hongping Xing, Yu Liu, Xiaodan Sun
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 413-430.
    Purpose

    The smoothness of the high-speed railway (HSR) on the bridge may exceed the allowable standard when an earthquake causes vibrations for HSR bridges, which may threaten the safety of running trains. Indeed, few studies have evaluated the exceeding probability of rail displacement exceeding the allowable standard. The purposes of this article are to provide a method for investigating the exceeding probability of the rail displacement of HSRs under seismic excitation and to calculate the exceeding probability.

    Design/methodology/approach

    In order to investigate the exceeding probability of the rail displacement under different seismic excitations, the workflow of analyzing the smoothness of the rail based on incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is proposed, and the intensity measure and limit state for the exceeding probability analysis of HSRs are defined. Then a finite element model (FEM) of an assumed HSR track-bridge system is constructed, which comprises a five-span simply-supported girder bridge supporting a finite length CRTS II ballastless track. Under different seismic excitations, the seismic displacement response of the rail is calculated; the character of the rail displacement is analyzed; and the exceeding probability of the rail vertical displacement exceeding the allowable standard (2mm) is investigated.

    Findings

    The results show that: (1) The bridge-abutment joint position may form a step-like under seismic excitation, threatening the running safety of high-speed trains under seismic excitations, and the rail displacements at mid-span positions are bigger than that at other positions on the bridge. (2) The exceeding probability of rail displacement is up to about 44% when PGA = 0.01g, which is the level-five risk probability and can be described as 'very likely to happen'. (3) The exceeding probability of the rail at the mid-span positions is bigger than that above other positions of the bridge, and the mid-span positions of the track-bridge system above the bridge may be the most hazardous area for the running safety of trains under seismic excitation when high-speed trains run on bridges.

    Originality/value

    The work extends the seismic hazardous analysis of HSRs and would lead to a better understanding of the exceeding probability for the rail of HSRs under seismic excitations and better references for the alert of the HSR operation.

  • Ping Li, Rui Xue, Sai Shao, Yuhao Zhu, Yi Liu
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 397-412.
    Purpose

    In recent years, railway systems worldwide have faced challenges such as the modernization of engineering projects, efficient management of intelligent digital railway equipment, rapid growth in passenger and freight transport demands, customized transport services and ubiquitous transport safety. The transformation toward intelligent digital transformation in railways has emerged as an effective response to the formidable challenges confronting the railway industry, thereby becoming an inevitable global trend in railway development.

    Design/methodology/approach

    This paper, therefore, conducts a comprehensive analysis of the current state of global railway intelligent digital transformation, focusing on the characteristics and applications of intelligent digital transformation technology. It summarizes and analyzes relevant technologies and applicable scenarios in the realm of railway intelligent digital transformation, theoretically elucidating the development process of global railway intelligent digital transformation and, in practice, providing guidance and empirical examples for railway intelligence and digital transformation.

    Findings

    Digital and intelligent technologies follow a wave-like pattern of continuous iterative evolution, progressing from the early stages, to a period of increasing attention and popularity, then to a phase of declining interest, followed by a resurgence and ultimately reaching a mature stage.

    Originality/value

    The results offer reference and guidance to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the latest wave of the digitalization revolution, accelerate the overall upgrade of the railway industry and promote global collaborative development in railway intelligent digital transformation.

  • Yujie Ren, Hai Chi
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 486-494.
    Purpose

    The brake controller is a key component of the locomotive brake system. It is essential to study its safety.

    Design/methodology/approach

    This paper summarizes and analyzes typical faults of the brake controller, and proposes four categories of faults: position sensor faults, microswitch faults, mechanical faults and communication faults. Suggestions and methods for improving the safety of the brake controller are also presented.

    Findings

    In this paper, a self-judgment and self-learning dynamic calibration method is proposed, which integrates the linear error of the sensor and the manufacturing and assembly errors of the brake controller to solve the output drift. This paper also proposes a logic for diagnosing and handling microswitch faults. Suggestions are proposed for other faults of brake controller.

    Originality/value

    The methods proposed in this paper can greatly improve the usability of the brake controller and reduce the failure rate.

  • Jiehang Deng, Gengjie Sun
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 539-549.
    Purpose

    This study aims to improve the rules and regulations system of high-speed rail emergency disposal. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the analysis of the demands, rules and regulations of China concerning on-site high-speed rail emergency disposal, basic principles for revising the regulations on railway technical management (RRTM) are proposed and suggestions and evaluation methods according to the main clauses are put forward.

    Findings

    Basic principles for revising the RRTM are proposed, namely "to meet the actual needs of on-site high-speed railway emergency disposal, standardize the emergency disposal process, improve the efficiency of emergency disposal and keep the consistency between provisions of emergency disposal". Existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency, scenarios, safety and service quality are made up for the deficiencies. To make up for the deficiencies of the existing provisions related to emergency disposal efficiency, improvement of emergency disposal scenarios and guarantee of emergency disposal safety and quality, this paper puts forward suggestions on revising 15 emergency disposal provisions of the RRTM with regard to earthquake monitoring and warning, in-station foreign body invasion warning, air conditioning failure of EMU trains and forced parking of trains in sections. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is constructed to evaluate the proposed revision scheme and suggestions, which has been highly recognized by experts.

    Originality/value

    This study implements the goal of high-quality railway development.

  • Qi Xiao, Weidong Yu, Guangrong Tian, Fangxuan Li
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 514-524.
    Purpose

    This study aims to introduce the achievements and benefits of applying wheel/rail-force-based maintenance interval extension of the C80 series wagon in China.

    Design/methodology/approach

    Chinese wagons' existing maintenance strategy had left a certain safety margin for the characteristics of widely running range, unstable service environment and submission to transportation organization requirements. To reduce maintenance costs, China railway (CR) has attempted to extend the maintenance interval since 2020. The maintenance cycle of C80 series heavy haul wagons is extended by three months (no stable routing) or 50,000 km (regular routing). However, in the meantime, the alarming rate of the running state, a key index to reflect the severe degree of hunting stability, by the train performance detection system (TPDS) for the C80 series heavy haul wagons has increased significantly.

    Findings

    The present paper addresses a big data statistical way to evaluate the risk of allowing the C80 series heavy haul wagons to remain in operation longer than stipulated by the maintenance interval initial set. Through the maintenance and wayside-detector data, which is divided into three stages, the extension period (three months), the current maintenance period and the previous maintenance period, this method reveals the alarming rate of hunting was correlated with maintenance interval. The maintainability of wagons will be achieved by utilizing wagon performance degradation modeling with the state of the wheelset and the often-contact side bearing. This paper also proposes a statistical model to return to the average safety level of the previous maintenance period's baseline through correct alarming thresholds for unplanned corrective maintenance.

    Originality/value

    The paper proposes an approach to reduce safety risk due to maintenance interval extension by effective maintenance program. The results are expected to help the railway company make the optimal solution to balance safety and the economy.

  • Leiting Zhao, Kan Liu, Donghui Liu, Zheming Jin
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(4): 470-485.
    Purpose

    This study aims to improve the availability of regenerative braking for urban metro vehicles by introducing a sensorless operational temperature estimation method for the braking resistor (BR) onboard the vehicle, which overcomes the vulnerability of having conventional temperature sensor.

    Design/methodology/approach

    In this study, the energy model based sensorless estimation method is developed. By analyzing the structure and the convection dissipation process of the BR onboard the vehicle, the energy-based operational temperature model of the BR and its cooling domain is established. By adopting Newton's law of cooling and the law of conservation of energy, the energy and temperature dynamic of the BR can be stated. To minimize the use of all kinds of sensors (including both thermal and electrical), a novel regenerative braking power calculation method is proposed, which involves only the voltage of DC traction network and the duty cycle of the chopping circuit; both of them are available for the traction control unit (TCU) of the vehicle. By utilizing a real-time iterative calculation and updating the parameter of the energy model, the operational temperature of the BR can be obtained and monitored in a sensorless manner.

    Findings

    In this study, a sensorless estimation/monitoring method of the operational temperature of BR is proposed. The results show that it is possible to utilize the existing electrical sensors that is mandatory for the traction unit's operation to estimate the operational temperature of BR, instead of adding dedicated thermal sensors. The results also validate the effectiveness of the proposal is acceptable for the engineering practical.

    Originality/value

    The proposal of this study provides novel concepts for the sensorless operational temperature monitoring of BR onboard rolling stocks. The proposed method only involves quasi-global electrical variable and the internal control signal within the TCU.

  • Jie Zhang, Yuwei Wu, Jianyong Gao, Guangjun Gao, Zhigang Yang
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(3): 310-326.
    Purpose

    This study aims to explore the formation mechanism of aerodynamic noise of a high-speed maglev train and understand the characteristics of dipole and quadrupole sound sources of the maglev train at different speed levels.

    Design/methodology/approach

    Based on large eddy simulation (LES) method and Kirchhoff-Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (K-FWH) equations, the characteristics of dipole and quadrupole sound sources of maglev trains at different speed levels were simulated and analyzed by constructing reasonable penetrable integral surface.

    Findings

    The spatial disturbance resulting from the separation of the boundary layer in the streamlined area of the tail car is the source of aerodynamic sound of the maglev train. The dipole sources of the train are mainly distributed around the radio terminals of the head and tail cars of the maglev train, the bottom of the arms of the streamlined parts of the head and tail cars and the nose tip area of the streamlined part of the tail car, and the quadrupole sources are mainly distributed in the wake area. When the train runs at three speed levels of 400, 500 and 600 km·h-1, respectively, the radiated energy of quadrupole source is 62.4%, 63.3% and 71.7%, respectively, which exceeds that of dipole sources.

    Originality/value

    This study can help understand the aerodynamic noise characteristics generated by the high-speed maglev train and provide a reference for the optimization design of its aerodynamic shape.

  • Hongmei Li, Junling Shi, Xiangdong Li, Junbo Zhang, Yunlong Chen
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(3): 327-335.
    Purpose

    High-speed maglev technology can address the issues of adhesion, friction, vibration and high-speed current collection in traditional wheel-rail systems, making it an important direction for the future development of high-speed rail technology.

    Design/methodology/approach

    This paper elaborates on the demand and significance of developing high-speed maglev technology worldwide and examines the current status and technological maturity of several major high-speed maglev systems globally.

    Findings

    This paper summarizes the challenges in the development of high-speed maglev railways in China. Based on this analysis, it puts forward considerations for future research on high-speed maglev railways.

    Originality/value

    This paper describes the development status and technical maturity of several major high-speed maglev systems in the world for the first time, summarizes the existing problems in the development of China's high-speed maglev railway and on this basis, puts forward the thinking of the next research of China's high-speed maglev railway.

  • Niansheng Xi, Hongmin Xu
    Railway Sciences. 2023, 2(3): 347-357.
    Purpose

    The study aims to provide a basis for the effective use of safety-related information data and a quantitative assessment way for the occurrence probability of the safety risk such as the fatigue fracture of the key components.

    Design/methodology/approach

    The fatigue crack growth rate is of dispersion, which is often used to accurately describe with probability density. In view of the external dispersion caused by the load, a simple and applicable probability expression of fatigue crack growth rate is adopted based on the fatigue growth theory. Considering the isolation among the pairs of crack length a and crack formation time t (a~t data) obtained from same kind of structural parts, a statistical analysis approach of t distribution is proposed, which divides the crack length in several segments. Furthermore, according to the compatibility criterion of crack growth, that is, there is statistical development correspondence among a~t data, the probability model of crack growth rate is established.

    Findings

    The results show that the crack growth rate in the stable growth stage can be approximately expressed by the crack growth control curve da/dt = Q·a, and the probability density of the crack growth parameter Q represents the external dispersion; t follows two-parameter Weibull distribution in certain a values.

    Originality/value

    The probability density f(Q) can be estimated by using the probability model of crack growth rate, and a calculation example shows that the estimation method is effective and practical.