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The application of a systematic approach to material selection for the lightweighting of metro vehicles

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Joe Carruthers

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Abstract

With reduced operational energy consumption as the primary driver, a cross-industry consortium of vehicle manufacturers has explored some of the issues Surrounding the introduction of lightweight materials into metro vehicles. Taking today's vehicles as the starting point, the aim of the Study was to examine the Current barriers that need to be removed or overcome in order to realize the economic and environmental benefits of lightweight materials. From a technical perspective, the use of a systematic approach to material selection is described that matches the design requirements and constraints of a given application to potentially Suitable candidate materials within a large database. The approach is illustrated by a case Study in which a 57 per cent mass saving is achieved for a metro vehicle interior grab rail. Estimates are also provided for the magnitude of the operational energy and cost savings that can be achieved through metro vehicle lightweighting. For the particular scenario considered in this article, a 10 per cent reduction in vehicle mass was estimated to equate to a 7 per cent saving in energy consumption and a corresponding 100 000(sic) annual operational cost saving per vehicle. Such data can now be used to Support decision making with respect to the benefits of lightweighting.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Carruthers JJ, Calomfirescu M, Ghys P, Prockat J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit

Year: 2009

Volume: 223

Issue: 5

Pages: 427-437

Date deposited: 04/11/2009

ISSN (print): 0954-4097

ISSN (electronic): 2041-3017

Publisher: Professional Engineering Publishing

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1243/09544097JRRT279

DOI: 10.1243/09544097JRRT279


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
TIP4-CT-2005-516380European Commission

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