electrification focus
The BBRP DYNAMICS V5 program
The BBRP DYNAMICS V5 program was developed in house
by BBRP to allow the computer simulation of overhead line
system dynamic performance. The program can analyse the
statics and dynamics of fixed termination or auto tension
overhead line systems as well as many hybrid systems.
Mainline, bridge/tunnel, overlap and turnout arrangements
are just some of the configurations of overhead line that
have been simulated using the program.
BBRP are one of the few overhead line design
organisations to have such a tool. The program has been
used extensively by BBRP on overhead line design and
construction projects throughout the world most notably in
These configurations are necessary to dynamic simulation and in practice to
the USA, UK, Sweden and Australia.
achieve optimum current collection at provide the optimum current collection
The DYNAMICS program first undertakes static calculations
125mph on the mainlines and at the performance at the pantograph contact
to determine the equilibrium position of the wires, droppers,
specified crossover speed. BBRP first wire interface.
loading on registration arms and catenary supports. Once the
introduced the high speed crossover
program has established and verified the static equilibrium
wiring configuration into Network Rail's BBRP DYNAMICS V5
conditions, the dynamic analysis can begin.
infrastructure through the Watford An important aspect in the development
The dynamic calculations determine the motion of the
Bletchley project in circa 2002. of these high speed wiring configurations
overhead equipment and pantographs and the interaction
Since its introduction, the high speed was the BBRP DYNAMICS V5 program.
between contact wire and pantographs. The resultant data
crossover wiring arrangement has been Developed in-house by BBRP, this
from the calculation is presented in the form of a series of
used on a number of Network Rail software program was used to simulate
graphs and data tables, which can then be analysed to
projects, the most notable current project the dynamic response of the wiring and
establish the dynamic performance of the system and to
other than the TV4 project being the to confirm that it was in accordance with
investigate system sensitivity such that optimum
Rugby Station Remodelling project. The the design criteria.
performance can be achieved.
unique feature of this wiring configuration One of the major challenges for the
is that it alleviates the need for the cross BBRP team was to develop a stage design
contact bar found on the normal crossover that would allow the existing two-track design team.
wiring configuration. The cross contact bar railway to evolve into a four-track Network Rail also acknowledged the
found in the normal crossover wiring railway, whilst allowing train operations outstanding service of BBRP Field
configuration can often cause a hard spot to continue throughout the duration of Engineer Mel Keates, by presenting him
at the contact wire/pantograph interface the construction phase of the project. An with a 'Red Letter Day' award. Network
which is not desirable for good current example of this is depicted in the Rail commended Mel for "consistently
collection or smooth running. photograph (top left) showing the resolving issues, providing best practice
In the BBRP high speed wiring Huddlesford temporary slew. guidance and generally working with the
arrangement, the crossover contact wire In order to support Network Rail's core success of the project in mind."
runs parallel to the mainline contact wire team procurement activities, the BBRP In early July 2008, the BBRP project
for a span. As the train pantograph design team developed bills of material team from Stephenson House travelled to
approaches the crossover, the crossover using the Balfour Beatty's in-house the TV4 project to see the installed
contact wire drops gently from an out of developed Material Control System (MCS). overhead line system in operation. The
running position (not in contact with train The MCS software was developed photograph (top right) shows the BBRP
pantograph) into an in running position specifically to facilitate accurate and team accompanied by Network Rail's
(running on train pantograph) while at efficient control of materials from design Adrian Williams and Daniel Pearson on
the same time the mainline contact wire through to construction on overhead line the site visit at footbridge 84E located in
is gently lifted to an out of running construction projects. the vicinity of the Tame Viaduct as a
position momentarily before being gently Virgin Trains Pendolino, shown in the
lowered back into running on the Field engineering support background, takes advantage of the
pantograph, once the train on the One of the key attributes of BBRP's newly constructed high speed overhead
mainline has traversed the points. success on the TV4 project is the field line.
The control of raising and lowering the engineering support. This has allowed the Currently, the BBRP overhead line
contact wire in and out of running on the BBRP team to provide solutions to design team continue to support the TV4
pantograph is achieved by careful design problems that could not be envisaged project by providing field engineering and
of the overhead line dropper system. This within the normal matrix of design, as technical support to the project in the
gentle changeover from mainline contact well as facilitating the smooth flow of build up to the completion of the
wire to cross over contact wire then back information between the Network Rail construction activities and introduction of
to mainline wire, has been shown by core team, the contractor and BBRP's the December 2008 timetable.
october 2008 | the rail engineer | 31
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