A Dynamic Model for the Study and Simulation of the Pantograph–Rigid Catenary Interaction with an Overlapping Span

Abstract

In this paper, the authors present a mathematical and engineering model to optimally calculate the dynamic equation on the pantograph–catenary interaction when considering a rigid catenary with an overlapping span. The model starts from well-known methods adapted to the special features of rigid catenary. As a result, an algorithm for the integration of a dynamic equation based on explicit methods is provided. Moreover, from this algorithm, a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly software tool called RICATI is developed in order to approach the model to railway-based companies. The results show the usefulness of an application. such as RICATI, to check the behavior of the configuration initially established for a catenary, allowing solutions to be obtained for the problems encountered when simulating the passage of the pantograph (or pantographs), not only for the overlapping span but also for the entire catenary. That encourages us to continue future works.

Keywords

• transportation
• pantograph/catenary interaction
• rigid catenary
• software tool
• infrastructure engineering
• information technology