Dynamic performance analysis of suspended monorail vehicles under various operating conditions

This paper presents the impact of various operating conditions on the dynamic performance of suspended monorail vehicles through simulations with focusing on vehicle speed, curve radius, gradient and crosswind. A multi-body dynamic model of a two-car train is developed by incorporating the effect of track beams under crosswind conditions using a flexible track beam model to construct a wind-vehicle-bridge coupling model. To improve computational efficiency, a parameter batch processing method is used for the numerical simulation. The results show that under curved ramp conditions, the combined effects of centrifugal and gravitational forces lead to reducing the lateral stability as compared to regular curved conditions. In crosswind conditions, increasing wind speed intensifies lateral force. However, the vehicle's vertical stability remains excellent across all conditions due to the high vertical damping of the suspension system. This study supports the application of suspended monorail systems in mountainous regions.