It is possible to increase the performance of fibre-reinforced composites in rail vehicles!

Kurzfassung

In the context of the mobility shift and the targeted reduction of CO2 emissions, new electrified drive concepts for rail vehicles, such as battery-electric or fuel cell concepts, are required. They are primarily intended to replace fossil fuels on non-electrified routes. Due to the higher mass of the new drive technologies, it is often difficult to comply with the specified axle loads. In order not to exceed the permissible wheelset loads, significant mass savings are necessary through a holistic lightweight design approach, which also includes the use of innovative materials such as fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP). The use of damage diagnosis systems (structural health monitoring, SHM) can additionally monitor highly stressed areas of the FRP and reduce the inspection effort. Within the scope of the joint project "faWaSiS" (Significant mass saving through structurally supporting fibre composite-intensive car body structures of rail vehicles with an integrated damage diagnosis system) funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, such an approach is being pursued and demonstrated on two selected structures (a side skirt and a roof structure). The consortium accompanied by the project sponsor TÜV Rheinland consists of the following partners: J.M. Voith SE & Co. KG (lead partner), Forster System-Montage-Technik GmbH, SAERTEX GmbH & Co. KG, EAST-4D Carbon Technology GmbH, INVENT GmbH and the German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR).