Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Crashworthiness optimisation of the front-end structure of the lead car of a high-speed train

  • INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
  • Published:
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To improve the crashworthiness of vehicles, the crashworthiness of the vehicle structure itself has to be optimised. Through the collision analysis of a certain high-speed train, this research found that the front-end structure is most important in the crashworthiness optimisation design of the vehicle; the constitutive material models required for this numerical simulation of an entire vehicle were obtained by performing loading tests at different strain rates; according to the highly non-linear characteristics of the ensuing structural deformation under impact loading, this research used specific energy absorption (SEA) as an objective function to construct a multi-parameter optimisation model of the front-end structure of the vehicle . Based on this, the optimisation analysis was conducted. In the optimisation, the optimal SEA value (3.6988 kJ/kg) of the structure is obtained by 130-step iteration using a modified method of feasible directions (MMFD)—a gradient optimisation method; the optimal value obtained after 101 iterations by applying a direct search method—Hooke-Jeeves (HJ) algorithm is 3.6454 kJ/kg; and the optimal value acquired after 192 iterations of a global optimisation method—adaptive simulated annealing (ASA)—is 3.6132 kJ/kg. Moreover, the optimum results were validated by collision analysis of the optimal structure using a MMFD model. The variation analysis of the structural SEA with each variable show that the optimisation model is able to extend the range of each design variable.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander JM (1960) An approximate analysis of the collapse of thin cylindrical shells under axial loading. Q J Mech Appl Math 13(1):10–15

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Ashtari P, Barzegar F (2012) Accelerating fuzzy genetic algorithm for the optimization of steel structures. Struct Multidiscip Optim 45(2):275–285

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Cengiz B, Emin S, Sureyya EB, Fatih A, Toprak T, Mugan A (2011) Railroad passenger car collision analysis and modifications for improved crashworthiness. Int J Crashworthiness 16(3):319–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen SY (2001) An approach for impact structure optimization using the robust genetic algorithm. Finite Elem Anal Des 37(5):431–446

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Eom Y, Yoo K, Park J, Han S (2011) Reliability-based topology optimization using a standard response surface method for three-dimensional structures. Struct Multidiscip Optim 43(2):287–295

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg J, Nilsson L (2006) Evaluation of response surface methodologies used in crashworthiness optimization. Int J Impact Eng 32(5):759–777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao G, Dong H, Tian H (2014) Collision performance of square tubes with diaphragms. Thin-Walled Struct 80:167–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao GJ, Tian HQ (2007) Train’s crashworthiness design and collision analysis. Int J Crashworthiness 12(1):21–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghamarian A, Zarei H (2012) Crashworthiness investigation of conical and cylindrical end-capped tubes under quasi-static crash loading. Int J Crashworthiness 17(1):19–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haghi Kashani M, Shahsavari Alavijeh H, Akbarshahi H, Shakeri M (2013) Bitubular square tubes with different arrangements under quasi-static axial compression loading. Mater Des 51:1095–1103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hallquist JO (2006) LS-DYNA theory manual. Livermore Software Technology Corporation, California

    Google Scholar 

  • Hong W, Fan HL, Xia ZC, Jin FN, Zhou Q, Fang DN (2014) Axial crushing behaviors of multi-cell tubes with triangular lattices. Int J Impact Eng 63:106–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou S, Han X, Sun G, Long S, Li W, Yang X, Li Q (2011) Multiobjective optimization for tapered circular tubes. Thin-Walled Struct 49(7):855–863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou S, Li Q, Long S, Yang X, Li W (2007) Design optimization of regular hexagonal thin-walled columns with crashworthiness criteria. Finite Elem Anal Des 43(6–7):555–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou S, Li Q, Long S, Yang X, Li W (2008) Multiobjective optimization of multi-cell sections for the crashworthiness design. Int J Impact Eng 35(11):1355–1367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hou S, Li Q, Long S, Yang X, Li W (2009) Crashworthiness design for foam filled thin-wall structures. Mater Des 30(6):2024–2032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang ZY, Gu MT (2010) Optimization of a fender structure for the crashworthiness design. Mater Des 31(3):1085–1095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzi L, Airoldi A, Chirwa C (2009) Application of an iterative global approximation technique to structural optimizations. Optim Eng 10(1):109–132

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lanzi L, Castelletti LML, Anghileri M (2004) Multi-objective optimisation of composite absorber shape under crashworthiness requirements. Compos Struct 65(3–4):433–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park C, Joh C, Kim Y (2009) Multidisciplinary design optimization of a structurally nonlinear aircraft wing via parametric modeling. Int J Precis Eng Manuf 10(2):87–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redhe M, Giger M, Nilsson L (2004) An investigation of structural optimization in crashworthiness design using a stochastic approach. Struct Multidiscip Optim 27(6):446–459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rikards R, Abramovich H, Kalnins K, Auzins J (2006) Surrogate modeling in design optimization of stiffened composite shells. Compos Struct 73(2):244–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakata S, Ashida F, Zako M (2003) Structural optimization using Kriging approximation. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 192(7–8):923–939

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Song J (2013) Numerical simulation on windowed tubes subjected to oblique impact loading and a new method for the design of obliquely loaded tubes. Int J Impact Eng 54:192–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song J, Guo F (2013) A comparative study on the windowed and multi-cell square tubes under axial and oblique loading. Thin-Walled Struct 66:9–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchao X, Hui Z (2015) Analysis and optimisation of parameters influencing the out-of-plane energy absorption of an aluminium honeycomb. Thin-Walled Struct 89:169–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suchao X, Hui Z, Junjie Z, Yicheng Z (2013) Energy-absorption forecast of thin-walled structure by GA-BP hybrid algorithm. J Cent South Univ 20(4):1122–1128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang ZL, Liu ST, Zhang ZH (2013) Analysis of energy absorption characteristics of cylindrical multi-cell columns. Thin-Walled Struct 62:75–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu FX, Sun GY, Li GY, Li Q (2014) Experimental study on crashworthiness of tailor-welded blank (TWB) thin-walled high-strength steel (HSS) tubular structures. Thin-Walled Struct 74:12–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarei H, Kroger M (2008) Optimum honeycomb filled crash absorber design. Mater Des 29(1):193–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu P, Zhang Y, Chen GL (2011) Metamodeling development for reliability-based design optimization of automotive body structure. Comput Ind 62(7):729–741

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was undertaken at the Key Laboratory for Traffic Safety on Track of the Ministry of Education, Central South University, China. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant nos. 51405516, U1334208), the support from the Shenghua Yu-ying Talents Program of the Central South University the support from the Shenghua Yu-ying Talents Program of the Central South University and the support from the Science and Technology Program for Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department (Grant no. 2013GK2001). The author thanks Dr. Tanghong Liu for his calculation about the static stress of the crashworthiness train. The author also thanks Dr. Ping Xu for his support in material experiments of the car-body structure.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Traffic Safety on Track, Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410075, China

    Suchao Xie, Xifeng Liang, Hui Zhou & Jian Li

  2. School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410075, China

    Suchao Xie, Xifeng Liang, Hui Zhou & Jian Li

  3. School of Traffic and Logistics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China

    Hui Zhou

Authors
  1. Suchao Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xifeng Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hui Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jian Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suchao Xie.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xie, S., Liang, X., Zhou, H. et al. Crashworthiness optimisation of the front-end structure of the lead car of a high-speed train. Struct Multidisc Optim 53, 339–347 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-015-1332-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-015-1332-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation