Characteristics of rubber elements in suspension of railway vehicles

Abstract

The purpose of the suspension of railway vehicles is to prevent rigid contact between the running gear and the vehicle body, which significantly improves safety and riding comfort. The designer of railway vehicles has at his disposal a wide range of rubber and other (polymeric) materials, which can be used to soften the effect of forces on the wagon structure. Rubber elastic elements are most often used in railway vehicles for damping high-frequency oscillations. They are not suitable for carrying large concentrated forces, and for this reason they are combined with other elastic elements in the suspension system of railway vehicles. The characteristics of rubber elastic elements are quite different from, for example, the characteristics of metal elements. Therefore, in designing of rubber elastic elements, their characteristics must be known. First of all, these characteristics refer to the modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, type of load, shape of the element, hardness, permissible shear angle, etc. In addition, the characteristics of rubber elements depend on atmospheric influences and aging of rubber over time. This paper presents the basic characteristics of rubber elements that must be taken into account when designing the suspension of railway vehicles. In addition, an example of a concrete solution for the use of rubber elements in the suspension system of wagons for coal transport coal is given. Adhering to these recommendations, it is possible to apply rubber elements in a wide range of railway vehicles, as well as in other structures where it is necessary to achieve the required damping and elasticity.