Combining MBS with FEM for rail vehicle dynamics analysis

In this paper a non-linear multibody model of a rail vehicle is combined with a finite element model of its carbody. The finite element model is reduced by eigenmode representation. Simulation, i.e. numerical solution of the equations of motion, is carried out using the combined flexible multibody model. Track data measured on a real track is used as input. Simulation results are compared with on-track measurements carried out on the real vehicle and track. The paper presents four criteria to select important eigenmodes, including both general dynamics and comfort aspects, and applies them to the above mentioned case.