The article presents the results of the strength calculation of the FLAT RACK removable module design using the finite element method. The FLAT RACK removable module provides higher efficiency of freight transportation. The special features of the removable module are its components made of rectangular tubes and its fittings with viscoelastic bonds. The parameters of the profile for such a removable module are determined through the maximum resistance moments of its components. The research includes mathematical modelling of the dynamic loading on the removable module placed on a flat wagon during a shunting impact. The accelerations to the removable module are also determined. The results are confirmed by computer modelling of the dynamic loading on the removable module. It is found that the strength of the removable module is provided. The research conducted may be used by those who are concerned about designing advanced module-type rail vehicle structures and enhancing their operational efficiency.

Increased volumes of freight turnover in international transportation require the situational adaptation of the existing wagon fleet to the transportation of containers, which are commonly used at present. The research presented in this article substantiates the possibility of transporting containers in open wagons. It has been found that taking into account the possible displacements of containers in the body, the stresses at the operating modes can be twice as high as the permissible ones if an open wagon is part of the combined train. In this regard, it is proposed that a detachable multifunctional module for securing containers in the open wagon body be used. The detachable module is fixed through the fitting stops, either stationary or hinged, in the body. The rationale for the choice of the detachable module profile, as well as the results of its strength calculation, is given. The strength of the open wagon body during container transportation has been studied taking into account the proposed fastening diagram. The results of the calculations have shown that the maximum stresses in the body do not exceed permissible values. The results of the study will contribute to improvement in the efficiency of container transportation and the transport industry as a whole. Also, these results may be useful developments for designing modular vehicles.

This article highlights the structural features of the detachable module for the transportation of long cargoes. The choice of profiles for the detachable module was based on the resistance moments of its components. The detachable module was considered a rod structure on four supports. To determine the longitudinal loads acting on the detachable module, mathematical modeling of its longitudinal dynamics was carried out, provided they were placed on a flat car during a shunting impact. The accelerations obtained were used for the calculations of the detachable module. This article presents the results of the strength calculation of the detachable module under asymmetric loading diagrams, i.e., the action of longitudinal and lateral forces on the detachable module structure. The results of the calculations show that the maximum stresses in the structure of the detachable module when it receives longitudinal loads are 7.7% lower than the permissible ones, and when it receives lateral loads, they are 5.8% lower. Thus, the strength of the detachable module is maintained under the loading diagrams considered. This study also included a modal analysis of the detachable module structure. The first natural frequency of oscillations is found to be 20 Hz. Thus, the safety of the detachable module movement in terms of frequency analysis is ensured. This research will help to create recommendations for the design of modern modular vehicles and improve the efficiency of the transport industry.

The object of this study is the processes of occurrence, exposure to, and redistribution of loads in the supporting structure of a removable module for the transportation of long cargoes. To adapt platform cars to the transportation of long loads, it is proposed to introduce a removable module with elastic-friction connections in the structure. In order to select the optimal profiles for the removable module, in terms of minimal material consumption, the calculation was carried out in the Lira software package. Based on the calculation results, a spatial model of the concept of the removable module was built. To determine the dynamic loads that act on the platform car loaded with a removable module, a mathematical simulation was carried out. It was established that the use of elastic-friction links in the structure of the removable module helps reduce its dynamic load, as well as the platform car, by 4.6 %. The resulting acceleration was taken into account when calculating the strength of the removable module. The calculation results showed that the strength of the removable module under operational loads is ensured. A feature of the reported results is that the proposed design of a removable module makes it possible not only to adapt the platform car to the transportation of long loads but also to reduce its load in operation. The scope of practical application of the results includes the engineering industry, in particular, railroad transport. Worth noting is that the conditions for the practical use of the results imply the introduction of elastic-friction links in the structure of the removable module. The reported research will contribute to compiling recommendations for the design of modern vehicle structures, in particular removable type, as well as for improving the efficiency of rail transportation.

The increasing demand for container transportation makes it necessary to equip the wagon fleet with appropriate flatcars in good technical condition. The study deals with the determination of the strength of the flatcar during shunting impacts using the finite element method. The flatcar model 13-401 modernized with fixed fittings for securing containers on the frame was used as a prototype. The authors determined the fields of the maximum equivalent stresses in the bearing structure of a flatcar. The strength calculation was made in SolidWorks Simulation. It was found that, during a shunting collision, the maximum equivalent stresses to the flatcar were about 418 MPa and they were concentrated in the fixed fittings. The strength was also studied using the method of electric strain gauging. The research included different impact speeds. The test results showed that the maximum difference between the stresses obtained theoretically and experimentally was 17.0%. The strength model of the flatcar was tested using the Fisher criterion. The study demonstrated that the damage to the bearing structure of the flatcar and containers could be reduced when applying an improved interaction diagram.