Alstom: Long duration, high cycle durability test in bespoke modular chamber

Challenge

Alstom, in collaboration with Worthington Rail, is investigating the design, construction and manufacture of the floor panel assembly via a long duration high cycle durability test. During testing, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity must be maintained according to specific targets to allow for suitable measurement and data analysis of the structural integrity.

Solution

The UTS Tech Lab team will investigate and validate the design, assembly and lifetime durability of a commuter rail carbody floor panel assembly through a series of structural tests.

Delivered in a bespoke modular chamber for climate control (temperature and humidity), the team will run the accelerated fatigue test over a 6-8 weeks duration (10m cycles at 3 Hz in total). Representative load conditions are applied using 4 parallel hydraulic actuators in force and displacement control. The load, displacement and flatness data are acquired and processed using gold standard instrumentation and a bespoke software tools and associated capabilities.

The new floor panel will offer improved performance in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to enhance passenger comfort and durability for extended life.