Corrugated panels applied to locomotive structures

Corrugated body-side panels are used on many European locomotives but have so far not found favour with British manufacturers. Using the locomotive bodyside as a specific shear panel application, this thesis compares the behaviour of corrugated panels with plane panels using finite element models. Initially plane panels are optimised for thickness under specific proof load-cases, using panel buckling stress criteria Shear stresses obtained using theoretical predictions from a finite element model are compared to the estimated buckling stress for each Individual bodyside panel. A number of equivalent corrugated sections are then examined to determine their bending stiffnesses, which are then compared with theoretical predictions. Comparisons are made between the shear stiffness of a plane and corrugated panel, determined by applying loads to each model and calculating the shear strains and stresses. The effects of varying the panel thickness and of corrugated panels on the structural natural frequency in the vertical mode are also Investigated. Finally, the cost and detail design implications are discussed.