Dynamic analysis of linear metro vehicle on curved track

Linear metro system is developed for urban transportation which utilizes steel-wheeled vehicles powered by linear induction motors (LIMs) interacting with reaction plate (RP) and running on steel rails. In this paper, based on the vehicle and track structure applied in Guangzhou metro line 4, a dynamic curve negotiation model is developed, and the separated iterative procedure and its corresponding numerical algorithm are introduced. The model consists of the vehicle and track subsystems. The vehicle subsystem is modelled as a multi-body system, in which the principles and structures of self-steering radial bogies are expounded. Finite element method is employed for the track subsystem including the rail, the concrete slab track and the RP. The two subsystems are coupled by the geometrical compatibility condition, and the wheel/rail interaction and the LIM/RP interaction. Then, a numerical simulation is conducted to analyze the effects of curve radius, superelevation and operating speed on the curving performance of this system.