Assessment and Design Enhancement of the Front End Energy Absorption Mechanism of a Locomotive Based on an Impact Scenario

This research is concerned with weighing the behavior of the front end energy absorption system of a locally manufactured locomotive in crash situations. The causes of the extensive damages to the energy absorption apparatus that includes the crash element and the buffer are studied. By choosing the proper damage model the conditions of the accident is simulated by using the ABAQUS engineering software. The amount of the absorbed energy during a crash is estimated. Improvement of the existing mechanism is also considered. A metal honeycomb energy absorber is proposed to increase the energy absorption capacity of the locomotive front end.