ABSTRACT
The study aims at updating torque characteristic of the linkage of railcar bodies with bogies while it rocks on center plates, determining the width of contact zone and friction torque in the center plate when the bogie rotates in dependence of the inclination of railcar body. Mathematical simulation considered the model of the center plate resented as an elastic inertia-free foundation (the Winkler foundation). It resulted in identifying the soft torque characteristic of such linkage, non-linear dependencies retrieved of the width of contact zone, the friction torque in the center plate and the frequencies of free oscillations on the inclination of railcar body. Comparative analysis was undertaken of calculation results obtained with the proposed model with those from other existing models and experiment. Advantages of the proposed model are demonstrated in its accuracy of retrieving the frequency of free oscillations. The proposed model improves the accuracy of calculations and is recommended for use when assessing the dynamic qualities of freight railcars.
