Evaluation of Interlaminar Shear Strength of Longitudinal GRP Railway Bogie Frames Considering Microstructure Aspects

摘要

The paper contains results of a comprehensive research and development programme aimed at an evaluation of static strength of a GRP railway bogie of a new advanced design. The works were carried out as one of the essential phases of the implementation of a EUREKA project EUROBOGIE, which is aimed at development of advanced vehicle bogies and has a great potential to lead to more efficient movement of freight and passengers with lower environmental impact. The GRP bogie design consists of three main load carrying parts, namely two quite massive longitudinal side frames connected by a central transom plate which are manufactured in a single moulding operation using the resin transfer moulding (RTM) method. Since the component is unusually thick, all parameters of the RTM method have to be well balanced. One of the critical issues in the design and manufacture is the connection area of the transom with the side frames. Therefore, testing of this subcomponent was an important part of the bogie development. Results of the experimental programme provided necessary feedback for the optimization of the manufacture technology.