A simulation investigation on the influence of pantograph crack defect on graphite contact strip wear

Abstract The pantograph commonly suffers from two types of defects in metro-rail transit: abnormal wear and crack defect. It very often suffers both, thereby increasing the risks posed to train-operation safety. Previous research has not considered the influence of pantograph cracks on contact strip wear. This study establishes a pantograph–catenary dynamics model with crack defect to investigate the influencing pattern of crack defect, as well as the catenary arrangement form under cracked condition on graphite contact strip wear. Results show that the presence of pantograph cracks accelerates the wear rate and induces the eccentric wear and marginal wear problem. An 8 m span and a splayed arrangement form of the pull-out value are preferred.