Carbody strength evaluation for a light rail vehicle

경전철 차량 개발을 위한 차체 강도 평가

LRV(Light Rail Vehicle) is one of the most useful way for urban transit. HDPIC has designed and manufactured the LRV train set for Manila Line 1 expansion. The LRV is composed of two carbody sections which are coupled by a articulated bogie. The articulated bogie and two motorized bogies have slewing rings in order to improve the curving performance and ride quality. Carbody structures are mainly made of low-carbon stainless steel (STS301L), and the carbody bolsters and draft sills are made of rolled steel for welded structures. The authority's specifications specified the design load conditions and weight limits. Design load conditions are vertical load, compressive load and diagonal jacking, and the maximum axle load is 10.7 ton. In order to meet those requirements, the stiffness and strength of carbody structure were predicted using finite element analysis during design stage. The half or full structure is modeled and analyzed with design load conditions, and critical areas are analysed in detail using sub-modeling method. The strength and strength of carbody structure was also verified by the load test. The analysis and test results show a good agreement.