A Problematic Approach to the Effects of Cross-Winds on Rolling Stock

Abstract

Strong cross-winds can be a source of critical loads on rolling stock, especially for modern lightweight high-speed trains. In this paper some topics of the risk analysis for the cross-wind stability of railway vehicles are discussed. The main tool used to this aim is multibody simulation. The most important input for it must be delivered by an aerodynamic model of the vehicle and of the operating environment. The fact that the parameters in the aerodynamic model can not be detected with sufficient accuracy or can undergo large fluctuations will be focused. This parametric uncertainty is neglected or not properly covered by the conventional risk analysis, which is mainly deterministic. A probabilistic approach, which can address the question more efficiently, is outlined, discussed and presented on a test case.