Keywords: railway dynamics, running safety, ride comfort, active systems, tilting vehicle, multi-body simulation, validation.

This paper considers the modelling and simulation techniques of a generic tilting vehicle in a multi-body simulation (MBS) environment, illustrated with an example of its application on a vehicle with an electro-hydraulic actuation system.

A brief summary describing the various architectures, pointing out characteristics which must be considered for simulations includes: the mechanical design features and the control and command (C&C) algorithms, for the tilting and for the hydraulic and pneumatic actuation.

As a result of the complexity of the multi-physics systems, and the constraints imposed by the MBS tool, in order to simulate the real dynamic behaviour of the tilting vehicle a simplified, but appropriate, modelling of the tilting system embedded on the train is required. Thus our attention was focused on the functional and field validations of the tilting modules integrated on a previously validated MBS vehicle model, both in normal conditions and in failure modes. The validation is based on experimental data from indoor and on-track tests.

The validated model is used in the design optimisation of the mechanical system C&C algorithms and for failure mode impact analysis through simulations, reducing time and development costs.

Furthermore, the validated model (used for the conditions foreseen by EN14363) supports the implementation of the last findings and recommendations of the standard, concerning the use of simulations.

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