Output details
12 - Aeronautical, Mechanical, Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering
Newcastle University
Investigation of the weld unzipping failure mode during collisions of welded aluminium rail vehicles
This paper develops models of “weld unzipping” failure (brittle fast fracture) of aluminium alloy welds, research prompted by the Ladbroke Grove rail crash. The research formed the basis of two new standards (EN15085, Welding of Railway Vehicles; EN15227, Rail Crashworthiness) that must be implemented for any new aluminium rail vehicles. The paper was awarded the “2008 Safety in Engineering Award” by the IMechE and the “2009 Sir Alfred Rosling Bennett / Charles S Lake Award” by the Railway Division of the IMechE. The work was funded by the EC (ALJOIN, 00829) and the UK Rail Safety and Standards Board.