TESTING AND TRIALLING FACILITIES

Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias (ADIF)

Catenary lab

RTS PRIORITY AREAS1

Capability Statement

The Catenary Test Bench (BECC) is a flexible installation that allows configuring an overhead conductor rail section of 60 meters maximum, with several combinations of geometry and different elements commonly used in railway operations. The BECC makes it possible to study and analyse the dynamic interaction between pantograph and catenary, considering the three dimensions to assess the effect of wind (on the overhead contact line and pantograph), curves, superelevations of the track, offcentring and pantograph tilting.

Capability – Systems

Electromechanical system made up of two electrodynamic vibrators with amplifiers. It is located on a trolley for adjustment of contact point between vibrator and catenary. Measurement instrumentation to perform tests: Consists of two load cells to measure the force applied to the catenary and six accelerometers placed at points where it is necessary to record the vibration. Acquisition and control system: Includes a vibration controller, which generates the command signal to the actuator and gets the response of accelerometers, and a control PC that interfaces between user and controller. Rigid catenary elements: overhead conductor rail with five spans of configurable length between 5 and 12 meters, catenary sectioning and suspensions of types rigid cantilever, elastic cantilever or T type.

Capability – Testing

Modal Analysis tests to characterize the dynamic response of different elements and configurations of rigid catenary and pantographs, commonly used in railway operations. Tests of dynamic interaction between pantograph and rigid catenary in order to validate theoretical studies performed with simulation models. Closed loop tests in order to reproduce and control an excitation signal on the structure both in force and acceleration. With these tests it is possible to perform fatigue analysis and ageing of rigid catenary elements.

Location key contacts

Name: General enquiries
Email: innova@adif.es

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