Ongoing projects

Active guidance of rail vehicles

Higher travelling speeds, increasing axle loads and growing demands on operational safety require new approaches in the track guidance of rail vehicles. Conventional passive systems are reaching their limits, especially when it comes to optimising wear and fatigue on wheels and rails. Active steering systems, which adapt the wheelset guidance to different load and operating conditions, can specifically improve wheel-rail interaction. The aim of this work is to systematically investigate the influence of environmental influences and changes to vehicle and rail parameters on the steering parameters and to develop steering strategies that sustainably reduce wear and fatigue regardless of external influences. This significantly increases the service life of the components and reduces operating costs in the long term.

Duration: 01.09.2023 - ongoing

Contact person: DI Lukas Lindbichler lindbichler@tugraz.at

Nonlinear structural dynamics

Lightweight construction, the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly and recyclable materials, and the development of energy-efficient systems are approaches for reducing both the consumption of energy and resources and the emission of substances harmful to the climate, environment and health. The widespread application of these concepts requires reliable and easy-to-use tools for various phases such as planning, development and operation. Examples are methods for designing, optimising, verifying and investigating machines and structures and monitoring and diagnosis during operation. Many existing methods are based on linear, time-invariant and classically damped theories, while corresponding systems often exhibit several nonlinear influences and localised damping effects. Therefore, this thesis investigates the applicability of structural dynamic methods for such problems and aspects related to their application.

Duration: 01.09.2023 - ongoing

Contact person: DI Thomas Thaller thomas.thaller@tugraz.at

Numerical analysis of viscoelastic rotor-bearing systems

Progressive developments in the field of rotor dynamics require special consideration of viscoelastic materials. The efficient description of rotordynamic systems plays a crucial role. Therefore, classical models can no longer satisfactorily and efficiently represent many of the viscoelastic effects in rotor dynamics.

In this dissertation, a transcendental eigenvalue search algorithm is presented, characterised by high reliability and speed. The developed model can represent all rotor dynamic effects of different viscoelastic material models. In addition to a wide variety of rotors, different unbalances are also modelled. The results show that the model is accurate and resource-efficient, which is particularly advantageous for practical applications.

Duration: 01.03.2022 - ongoing

Contact person: DI Gregor Überwimmer gregor.ueberwimmer@tugraz.at