Construction of simulation framework for dynamic analysis of a superconducting magnetic levitation train with flexible car bodies

Magnetic levitation (maglev) trains are eco-friendly and help to transport passengers efficiently and safely. Among two main types of maglev train, the EDS type is more appropriate for ultra-high-speed maglev trains. However, it has disadvantages with regard to vertical and lateral stability induced by external and internal vibrations. To analyze and evaluate the dynamics of ultra-high-speed maglev, we proposed a co-simulation framework for dynamic analysis of an EDS-type maglev with ultra-high-speed and all-flexible car bodies using couple-field analysis. First, electromagnetic forces were calculated with the superconducting coils and magnets using 2D analytic model. And a lookup table for electromagnetic forces was constructed with a large range of levitation from -100 mm to 100 mm and guidance from -50 mm to 50 mm. A rigid car body model was then constructed using a multi-body dynamics program. The flexible car body were modeled using the ANSYS program and converted using rigid body element (RBE2 element). The total simulation framework was constructed using MATLAB Simulink, and the dynamic models, electromagnetic model and lookup table were connected using a cosimulation process. The constructed co-simulation framework was used to investigate the dynamics of a high-speed train under conditions of random irregularity. As results, we found that the first bending and middle layer modes of the flexible car body mutually affected the vibration characteristics of the flexible car body compared to the rigid car body. In addition, flexible car bodies showed greater vibration than rigid car bodies because of elastic modal effects and additional vibration induced by the interactions of the car bodies.