I.

Introduction

What is Simpack?
SIMPACK is a general purpose Multibody Simulation (MBS) software used for the dynamic
analysis of any mechanical or mechatronic system.
From initial concept designs through to production and redesigns, SIMPACK is used to help
engineers fully comprehend and optimize systems, vastly reduce the need for physical prototyping,
reduce time-to-market, and improve product quality and lifespan. In essence, SIMPACK enables
manufacturers to gain a competitive edge by offering the ability create high quality products in a
time- and materially-efficient manner, thus reducing overall design, production and maintenance
costs.
Where can Simpack be used?
SIMPACK is primarily used within the
automotive, railway, engine, wind turbine,
power transmission and aerospace industries.
Within all industries SIMPACK is used for
single component design and complete
system analyses. Besides taking internal
dynamics and control into account,
SIMPACK can also consider any external
influences on the system, e.g. ground
disturbances and aerodynamic loading

SIMPACK Rail is an add-on module tailored to the specific requirements of the rail sector and
is the world-wide market leader for rail vehicles multi-body simulation. SIMPACK Rail is used
to simulate the dynamics of all rail vehicles or complete trains.
Applications
 Derailment safety
 Critical speed
 Passenger comfort
 Profile and track optimization, wear and Rail Contact Fatigue
 Gauging, Driveline and braking
 Switches and crossings

II. About training

Training objectives
Upon completion of this training, the trainees will be able to:
 Understand basic necessary elements for railway modeling
 Set up railway vehicles according to common concepts
 Set up, run and analyze typical applications for railway models

Targeted Audience
 Simulation analysts and design engineers in the railway industry
 Multibody simulation experts with no previous experience of railway simulation in
Simpack
III. Scope of the training

The SIMPACK Rail training explains how to use Modeling Elements to simulate rail-wheel
contact, how to set up entire vehicle models, and the most important analysis types for rail vehicles.
It also introduces rail vehicle specific elements such as tracks, irregularities, wheel and rail
profiles, suspension elements. The training will cover the below listed topics and it is divided into
lectures and examples. The examples are integral parts of the training and are designed to reinforce
concepts presented during the lectures. Moreover, they are intended to provide users with the
experience of running and troubleshooting actual simulations.

A. Training lessons ( 16 hrs)

Lesson 1 SIMPACK basics (2hr)

Lesson 2 SIMAPCK Rail basic elements (2hr)
Example 1 Single wheelset modeling (45min)
Lesson 3 Plots and outputs (30 min)
Lesson 4 Track setting (1hr)
Example 2 Track definition (30 min)
Lesson 5 Suspension modeling (1 hr)
Example 3 Full vehicle setup ( 2hr)
Lesson 6 Finalize Model Setup (45 min)
Example 4 Preloads and Solver (45 min)
Lesson 7 Quasilinearization (30 min)
Example 5 Calculate Eigenvalues ( 30 min)
Lesson 8 Critical Speed (45 min)
Example 6 Root Loci (Linear Critical Speed) (30 min)
Example 7 Nonlinear Critical Speed ( 45 min)
Lesson 9 Typical Applications ( optional) ( 30 min)
Example 8 Derailment ( 45 min)
Example 9 Comfort Analysis ( 45 min)
Example 10 Roll Coefficient ( 30 min)
Lesson 10 Additional Rail Topics (Optional)
Example 11 Independent Wheels (optional)
Example 12 Elastic Track Foundation (optional)
B. Lesson contents

Lesson 1: SIMPACK basics (

 Introduction (Products, Elements, interfaces)
 Theory (kinematics and Dynamics)
 Basics on setting up a model
 Graphical User Interface
 Data flow/ data handling
 Review with examples

Lesson 2: SIMPACK rail basic elements

 Simpack Rail
 Typical Rail Vehicle Model
 Track Joints
 Specific Modeling Elements
 Model Setup Strategy
 Geometry Data
 Wheelset
 Possible Configurations for Wheel Setup
 Possible Configurations for Rail Setup
 Tangential Forces, Creep Reference Velocity and Data Handling
Example 1: Single Wheelset setup
Aim:
1. Understand how a Wheelset is set up
2. Become familiar with the Railway Specific Elements
3. Learn how Rail-Wheel Pairs are used
4. Create a Wheelset Element

Lesson 3: Plots and Outputs

 General
 Rail-Wheel Pair Plots
 Rail Plots
 Wheelset Plots
 Result Elements

Lesson 4: Track setting

 Track Types
 Superelevation
 General Track Settings
 Cartographic Track
 Measured Track
 Plots
 Follow Track Joint Marker
 Active Track
Example 2: Track Definition
Aim:
1. Become familiar with the set-up of a Cartographic Track
2. Understand the different settings for the Follow Track Joint Marker

Lesson 4: Suspension Modeling

 Overview
 Rubber Spring
 Shear Spring
 Damper
 Graphical Representation of Force Elements

Example 3: Full Vehicle

Aim:
1. Build up a Bogie (Truck) model in Simpack
2. Build up a full train model in Simpack
3. Understand and use common rail modeling
elements

Lesson 5: Finalize Model Setup

 Model Check – Graphical
 Model Check – Test Call
 Vehicle Globals
 Static Equilibrium and Preload
 Preload
 Solver Settings

Example 4: Preloads and Solver

Aim:
1. Understand how to check model plausibility
a. Graphical
b. Test Call
2. Understand the Vehicle Globals
3. Understand how to bring a rail vehicle model into equilibrium

Lesson 6: Quasilinearization
 Principle of a Guided Wheelset
 Quasilinearization
 Linearization Process
Example 5: Calculate Eigenvalues
Aim:
1. Learn how to use the Online Eigenvalues calculator

Lesson 7: Critical Speed

 DoE
 Critical Speed
 Track Excitations
 Model Setup
 Stop Integration Force Element

Example 6: Root Loci (Linear Critical Speed)

Aim:
1. Understand how to perform a Root Loci calculation using:
a. the Simpack DoE and/or
b. a Simpack Post Script

Example 7: Nonlinear Critical Speed

Aim:
1. Understand how to perform a simple nonlinear critical speed analysis in Simpack

Lesson 8: Typical Applications

 Derailment
 Comfort
 Roll coefficient
Example 8: Derailment
Aim:
1. Understand how to perform a Derailment analysis in Simpack

Example 9: Comfort Analysis

Aim:
1. Understand how to perform a simple Comfort Analysis in Simpack

Example 10: Roll Coefficient

Aim:
1. Understand how to determine the Roll Coefficient using Simpack

C. Estimated Training period

The estimated training period is two weeks.