Dynamic Behavior of a High-Speed Train Subjected to Earthquake and Emergency Braking

The running safety of high-speed trains during earthquakes is an issue of great research interest. But the effects of emergency braking action on the dynamic behavior of high-speed trains under earthquakes is still unknown. This paper presents a study of the running safety of a high-speed train under the combined effects of a strong earthquake and the train emergency braking. A numerical model considering the earthquake impacts, the train braking action and the train-track interaction is formulated. The dynamic response and derailment behavior of a high-speed train subjected to a strong earthquake and an emergency braking is investigated. The effects of the seismic load, the braking force, and the wheel-rail interface condition are reported. The results show that an excessive braking torque could decrease the lateral stability and increase the derailment potential of the high-speed trains under large earthquake. This study is shown to enhance the understanding of the combined effects of earthquake and emergency braking on the running safety of high-speed trains.