Vibratec was commissioned by the transit authority to assess the residual service life of rolling stock bodies.
Residual life represents the time remaining before major structural damage occurs. This analysis is essential for planning mid-life and preventive maintenance operations, and for forecasting the costs of repairing or renewing the equipment.
01
Extension of rolling stock operating life
The study confirmed the relevance of operating for up to 40 years (30% gain).
02
Focused maintenance
Easier maintenance, with no need for heavy intervention, as risk areas were identified in the study.
03
Optimising investment costs
Optimization of infrastructure maintenance criteria to minimize operating stresses.
01
Estimate the residual lifetime of equipment in its actual environment and use
02
Optimize rolling stock and infrastructure maintenance strategies
03
Investment decision support
A global approach, covering both rolling stock and infrastructure
This stage consisted in assessing the mechanical design of the body. It included the production of numerical models (finite elements) and the identification of sensitive (weak) areas of the body under design loads.
Measurements taken during operation under various load conditions provided a better understanding of the structure’s behavior and identified the equipment’s actual stresses. Observations and inspections were also carried out on the body to assess its mechanical integrity at any given moment.
These methods made it possible to assess different operating scenarios over the residual life of the structure, and to plan inspections and repair accordingly.
