Abstract
We have evaluated the structural integrity of a sandwich composite train roof structure that can be a lightweight, cost saving solution to large structural components for rail vehicles in design stages. The sandwich composite train roof structure was 11.45 meters long and 1.76 meters wide. The finite element analysis was used to calculate the stresses, deflections and natural frequencies of the sandwich composite train roof against the weight of air-conditioned system. The 3D sandwich finite element model was introduced to examine the structural behavior of the hollow aluminum extrusion frames joined to both sides of the sandwich composite train roof. The results shown that the structural performance of the sandwich composite train roof under loading conditions specified is satisfaction and the use of aluminum reinforced frame and aluminum honeycomb core is beneficial with regard to weight saving and structural performance in comparison with steel reinforced frame and polyurethane foam core. Also, we have manufactured prototype of sandwich composite train roof structure on the basis of analysis results.
