Identifying patterns in loading a gondola car body with reinforcing belts in the structure of side walls

The object of this study is the processes of occurrence, perception, and redistribution of loads in the body of a gondola car with reinforcing belts in the structure of side walls. In order to improve the strength of side walls of the gondola car body, it is proposed to strengthen them with additional belts. At the same time, it is reinforced with diagonal belts in three sections of the body on the side of the consoles, and in the middle section, 1/3 of the height from the lower strapping, with a horizontal belt. To determine the parameters for the execution of profiles in the reinforcing belts, the calculation of the gondola car body as a rod system was carried out. Based on the resulting values of bending moments, the moment of resistance of the cross-section of the profiles of the reinforcing belts was determined. The calculation of the strength of the body of the gondola car under the main modes of its loads in operation (I and III calculation modes) was carried out. It was found that the resulting stresses were 10.3 % lower than those occurring in a typical design of a gondola car body. The movement of the gondola car in the empty and loaded states was evaluated. A feature of the reported research results is that the improvement of the strength of the side walls of the gondola car body is achieved by increasing the rigidity of its frame. The field of practical use of the results is the engineering industry, in particular, railroad transport. The conditions for the practical application of results are the symmetrical distribution of reinforcing belts along the length of the gondola car body. This study results may contribute to improving the durability of gondola car bodies in operation, and accordingly to reducing costs for unscheduled repairs. Also, the findings could prove useful for designing modern structures of railroad cars