Determination of the Stress State of the Body of a Hopper Car Transported by Sea

Abstract

The work deals with the special features of the loading on the body of a hopper car transported by a train ferry. It has been found that the maximum stresses in the body of a hopper car exceed the normative values in the standard lashing diagram. This can endanger the stability of a vehicle on the train ferry and the stability of the sea vessel. The safe transportation of a hopper car by sea can be ensured by means of improvements in its structure, i.e. fastening units for the chain binders. The rigidity of the bolster beam in the fixing points of these fastening units can be ensured with reinforcing diaphragms. The effectiveness of the proposed constructive improvement is confirmed by theoretical calculations. The results of the research will be of value for those who are concerned with the safe transportation of rail cars by sea.