Rail Vehicle Life Extension Testing
Specialist mobile stress and dynamics measurement on Hong Kongs MTR network
DATS performed Life extension testing on both bogies and the body of a metro camel electric multiple unit vehicle, for Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway network. The vehicles had reached their design life, and required additional strain gauge measurement and analysis to ensure the vehicles could operate safely going forward.
Additionally more doors had been inserted into the structure to allow faster passenger entry, the effect of this was measured and analysed against a predictive computer model. Vehicle dynamics and performance were also measured to ensure compliance with railway group standards GM/RT 2141, both in tare and laden conditions, in this case the train was laden with sandbags. (See image)
There were over 200 strain gauges applied to the vehicle structure to give stress and fatigue information. Whilst operating over the vehicles normal routes. Displacements of the vehicle suspension in three axis were also recorded and displayed in real time, using various strain gauge and potentiometer sensor measurements. Giving a total count of 256 channels.
Accelerometers were fitted to the body and bogie to give dynamic acceleration information, in order to measure ride performance acceleration and deceleration (braking). Vehicle speed and location was recorded together with the above sensors. All measurement channels were recorded parallel and synchronous using DATS digital dataloggers. Data was handled, interpreted and analysed on board by DATS consultant engineers with post process analysis using NCode Glyphworks at DATS UK facility.
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