A rigid–flexible coupling finite element model of coupler for analyzing train instability behavior during collision

Abstract Rail vehicles generate huge longitudinal impact loads in collisions. If unreasonable matching exists between the compressive strength of the intermediate coupler and the structural strength of the car body, the risk of car body structure damage and train derailment will increase. Herein, a four-stage rigid–flexible coupling finite element model of the coupler is established considering the coupler buckling load. The influence of the coupler buckling load on the train longitudinal–vertical–horizontal buckling behavior was studied, and the mechanism of the train horizontal buckling instability in train collisions was revealed. Analysis results show that an intermediate coupler should be designed to ensure that the actual buckling load is less than the compressive load when the car body structure begins to deform plastically. The actual buckling load of the coupler and the asymmetry of the structural strength of the car body in the lateral direction are two important influencing factors for the lateral buckling of a train collision. If the strength of the two sides of the car body structure in the lateral direction is asymmetrical, the deformation on the weaker side will be larger, and the end of the car body will begin to deflect under the action of the coupler force, which in turn causes the train to undergo sawtooth buckling.