Numerical Simulation and Experimental Testing of Two-axle Chassis of Low-floor Trams

This paper deals with numerical simulations and with experimental testing of chassis of low-floor trams. This chassis was designed with respect to low-floor construction, low weight, good driveability of a tram and with respect to fulfillment of standards and regulations. The chassis is in a numerical simulation burdened by load conditions according to EN 13749:2011 even during an experimental testing. The simulation is performed using the FEM Nastran solver implemented in the CAD system Siemens NX 11. Based on FEA the locations for strain gauges during testing were found. A total number of 40 strain gauges were used to measure the strain which was then recalculated to uniaxial stress. The testing was performed on hydraulic test bench Inova. The results of FEA and of an experimental testing were compared.