Static Analysis of Railway Overheads Considering Pantograph Effect

This article is concerned with the static analysis of structural cables used in railway overheads. Structural analysis computer program named ANSYS is used for analysis. Two effects are considered in the analysis. First one is the bending behavior effect of cables. BEAM188 in addition to LINK10 and LINK180 is used to see the difference in case of additional bending effect. Besides, LINK10 and LINK180 is also compared. Second one is the effect of pantograph. Pantograph is modelled as a contact element instead of a force. Accordingly, some sample cable systems similar to railway overhead are analyzed.