Validation and analysis on numerical response of super-high-speed railway pantograph-catenary interaction based on experimental test

Abstract

The numerical tools can be used to facilitate the design of the railway pantograph-catenary system. The validation of the current numerical results is mostly performed at a speed slower than 350 km/h. This paper aims at the validation and analysis of the numerical results at a super-high-speed. The catenary model is constructed based on a nonlinear finite element approach employing the absolute nodal coordinate formulation. A multibody dynamics model is adopted to represent the pantograph. The measurement data are collected by an inspection vehicle equipped with an instrumented pantograph operating at 378 km/h in Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed line. Comparing the numerical simulation and the field test shows that the present pantograph-catenary model can provide reliable numerical results at 378 km/h. The numerical analysis of pantograph-catenary interaction at super-high-speed shows that the trailing pantograph performance does not comply with the assessment standard at 378 km/h. The adjustment of double-pantograph interval and messenger wire tension can effectively improve the trailing pantograph performance.