Development of a Mathematical Model to Design the Control Strategy of a Full Scale Roller-Rig

Roller rigs have been built world-wide to investigate the dynamics of railway vehicles and they have particularly been applied to the development of high-speed trains. Specifically, the present paper focuses on a roller-rig for testing full scale locomotives/coaches, which is located at the Osmannoro Centre of Experimental Dynamics (Italy). The considered roller rig allows to test vehicles having up to 6 axes and 3 bogies. Aim of the roller-rig is to verify traction systems of locomotives, to test anti-slip/anti-skid control systems, to identify braking performance and to perform electromagnetic tests (radiated emissions and immunity) on the locomotive. At present, the design of the control strategy allowing to perform the desired tests is under development. To account for roller-rig and vehicle dynamics at a design stage, a numerical model of the complete test bench (including the locomotive/coach, the roller rig, the actuating devices and the corresponding control systems) was developed and interfaced with the control strategy of the test bench. The present paper describes the simulation tool developed on purpose and preliminary experimental results are presented.