EXPERIMENT-CALCULATED EVALUATION OF THE STRENGTH OF A PASSENGER OBSERVATION CAR MODEL 61-941

Experiment-calculated evaluation of the strength of the load-bearing body metal structure of a passenger observation car model 61-941 is done. The car is designed for tourist and sightseeing passenger trips. The project is created on the basis of a serial passenger car model 61-4179 as part of the capital repairs by Tambov Railway Car Repair Plant VRM. In accordance with the design andengineering specification, the body of the base car was significantly modernized, new planning solutions were applied for the internal equipment of the car, the frame of the car body was strengthened. Some theoretical studies using the finite element method were carried out to assess the compliance of the observation car model 61-941 with regulatory requirements. The strength and stability of the body metal structure is evaluated. At the second stage, full-scale tests of the car were carried out in static and dynamic conditions with longitudinal collisions. Additional attention is paid to the attachment points of passenger seats to the elements of the car body. The analysis of the results of theoretical and experimental studies shows their satisfactory compliance with the requirements of regulatory documents required for passenger car bodies.