A MB model for analysing torsional vibrations in the powertrain of diesel shunting locomotives

Torsional oscillations in the driveline of heavy-duty locomotives, characterized by mechanically interconnected axles, are analyzed in this paper. In order to properly reproduce the experimentally observed behavior, a Multi-Body vehicle model has been implemented taking into account torsional deformability of the driveline and of the wheelsets. An extension of the Shen-Hedrick-Elkins model has also been proposed and integrated into the model for reproducing the decreasing section of the creep force-creep curve experimentally measured at high creepages and responsible for the driveline torsional vibrations. In particular a temperature dependant friction coefficient has been introduced into the Shen-Hedrick-Elkins model to explain the decrease of creep forces at high creepages.