Experimental testing of impact of railway wagons

This article presents a methodology for the experimental testing of impact of the wagons with a special attention on the identification of wave phenomena and influence of sampling frequency on accuracy of the measured data. The impact force, affecting the buffers of Hccrrss wagon, has been captured at different sampling frequencies. The experimental results were compared to the theoretical ones obtained by the numerical simulation of two impact wagons. The wagons are modeled as two homogeneous elastic rods. The output results of such simple model were speed and time of wave propagation through the supporting structure of the tested wagon. They allow identifying and explaining the wave phenomena in results obtained by the experimental testing that must be carried out in process of certifying the wagons in accordance to the international regulations. In order to maximize the accuracy of the measured data, it is recommended to perform the experimental measurement at as high as possible sampling frequency. This methodology ensured a reliable measurement of the impact force on the buffers and identifying the wave phenomena generated through the subjected wagon.