Keywords: derailment, high-speed train, train-track dynamics, track buckling, flexible track, numerical simulation.

This paper presents a newly developed 3D dynamic model of a high-speed train coupled with a flexible track to carry out dynamical derailment analysis. The model considers a train composed of multiple vehicles with nonlinear couplers between the vehicles. Each vehicle is modeled as a multi-body system, which considers the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the suspensions. The ballast track model includes rails, fastenings, sleepers and ballasts. They are modeled, respectively, by Timoshenko beams, discretely distributed spring-damper elements, Euler beams, and equivalent ballast bodies. With the train-track model, the dynamic derailment responses of a high-speed train passing over a buckled track are analyzed, in which the track buckling due to the combination of thermal action and vehicle loads is considered. The critical amplitudes of track buckling of wheel derailment are discussed in detail. The numerical results obtained indicate that two types of wheel derailment patterns, slipping-up derailment and jumping derailment, occur when a train passes over a buckled track at high speed. The critical track buckling amplitudes of derailment occurring of different wheels in the same train are different when the trian passes over a buckled track due to the effects of secondary suspensions and inter-vehicle connections.

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