Using the stationary tests of the acceptance process of a rail vehicle to identify the vehicle model parameters

The accuracy of multi-body simulation results relies on the model building process and the accuracy of the model parameters. A more widespread use of vehicle dynamic calculations in the acceptance process would be possible if the validation of the model was secured. This paper proposes a methodology for an objective and direct identification of the values of the parameters of a rail vehicle model, using the results of the stationary tests defined in the acceptance process of railway vehicles (EN14363). The methodology also takes into account the variability of the measuring process by providing a probabilistic estimation of the identified parameters. The methodology is validated using an example of a virtual wheel unloading test (simulation). Four significant model parameters can be accurately calculated: vertical primary and secondary suspension stiffness, stiffness of the anti-roll bar, and height of the null moment point (the lateral/roll coupling effect of the air spring). Finally, a reduction method is shown which decreases the uncertainties of the identified parameters by up to 50%.