Meccanica Magazine n. 4

ENG
Research outcomes promoted by the Parizzi Association at DMEC
The Eugenio and Germana Parizzi Association supports researchers
and PhD students of Politecnico di Milano with scholarships and
grants for research in the transportation industry, namely electronics
and automation for the railway sector. The commitment and
resources lavished by the Association, involving prestigious national
and international companies, aim to study, test, and apply advanced
technological solutions regarding mobility in all its aspects.
On the 7th of June 2022, Fondazione Politecnico organised an event
to present the Parizzi Association’s activities, which turned out the
chance to share the activities performed and discuss the outlook. At
the event also took part in the rector Ferruccio Resta, who gave an
introduction speech.
Prof. Giorgio Diana, former Full Professor at the Department of
Mechanical Engineering (DMEC), chaired a round table on “New
technologies for railway innovation in the international scene”, during
which actively participated in several companies working in this
industry: Federico Astengo from Wabtec Faiveley Transport, Roberto
Diana from ABB, Leonardo Solera as rail systems expert, Antonella
Trombetta from Hitachi Rail.
The research activities funded by the Parizzi Association involve
3 researchers of the Department of Electronics, Information and
Bioengineering (DEIB) and 3 DMEC researchers: Claudio Somaschini,
Binbin Liu and Francesco Mazzeo.
Claudio Somaschini, Assistant Professor, after a brief introduction
given by Prof. Marco Bocciolone, presented his research entitled
“Increase of the high-speed train commercial speed: consequences
on rolling stock and infrastructure”. It focuses on the analysis
of aerodynamic issues that intensify with increasing speed.
Experimental data acquired during copious ad hoc designed
campaigns and the following numerical simulations let to better
understand and overcome some of these problems, such as ballast
lifting phenomenon and overpressures within tunnels.
Binbin Liu, Assistant Professor, introduced by Prof. Stefano Bruni,
presented his research entitled “Theoretical and experimental
analysis of wheel wear in railway wheels”. It focuses on the modelling
and prediction of railway wheel profile evolution due to wear. A
numerical wear model was developed based on a detailed non-
Hertzian contact mechanics model and the influence of asymmetric
worn wheel profiles on the vehicle stability has been studied based
on the experimental measurements of the wheel profiles of a highspeed
vehicle.
Francesco Mazzeo, PhD Student, after a brief introduction given by
Prof. Stefano Melzi, presented his research entitled “WSP (Wheel
Slip Prevention) system for freight trains”. It focuses on the study of
a wheel slip prevention system that will be used for freight trains to
reduce damages caused by high-intensity braking. A first detailed
multi-body model of the braking system has been developed in order
to study the interaction of the WSP valve with the braking system.
Then, the model has been experimentally validated. Future activities
include the development of a multi-body model of the entire vehicle,
control logic for the WSP valve and a HIL (Hardware In the Loop) bench
for the validation of the results.
meccanica magazine
73