Railway

Railway Structures, Components and Materials Testing

From the rubber bearing to the bogie to the carriage body, we offer experienced solutions to both developers and engineers with reliable support for product and operational safety as well as quality assurance.

As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, we test complete rail car bodies according to EN 12663-1 and validate bogies and bogie frames according to EN 13749 for all types of trains, including trams, locomotives, and freight or passenger trains.

We bring together engineers and technicians from several fields of expertise, from measurement and control engineering, computing, construction, and test design and assessment, to pool our expertise to allow for harnessing synergies and create added value for customers.

We aim to provide testing and engineering solutions that help customers test their innovative products for the railway sector in order to get them validated as quickly as possible to make sure they comply with strict legal requirements.

Static or Dynamic Testing

Depending on the type of test, we record the following:

Expansion, deformations, path and rotation angles
Force and pressure
Speed and acceleration
Temperature and relative humidity

Recording Test Data

We register expansions using two methods:

DMS-based (more than 1,500 DMS channels)
Optical-based, using ARAMIS System with in-plane as well as out-of-plane measurements of deformations

Tension and Compression Testing

We register static and dynamic forces, such as tension and compression, within a wide measuring range from 0.1 kN to 4 MN and also employ piezoelectric sensors as well as force absorbers on DMS basis.

Materials: Characterisation and quality assurance for different materials: metals, composites, polymers, and coatings.

Structures and Components Testing: Product and operational safety by means of endurance and fatigue tests for bogie frames, axle bearing housings, and vehicle components and seats.

Assemblies: Evaluation of strength and safety measures through stress, deformation, and stability testing for car bodies and substructures.

Mobile and Stress Measurement: Loading in real usage scenarios for approval tests, measurement runs, calculation and simulation, as well as structural optimisation in problematic cases and structural monitoring.

Simulation and Strength Assessment: Virtual testing of components and assemblies at stressed points for strength and service life assessment.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Analysis of damage in non-destructive testing (NDT) in test phase and in real world usage to see when and where damage occurs. Cracks or material damage are made visible.

Damage Analysis: Through a rigorous systematic approach, we can examine the direct cause of the damage by utilising material analysis methods. Our experienced materials engineers will assist you in order to determine the cause of damage to your machinery, systems, plants and components.

Environmental Simulation in the Field of Rail Vehicles

Environmental influences can severely impair the function and service life throughout the lifecycle of a railway product, from its production to its distribution and use. Using state-of-the-art environmental simulations, we provide manufacturers and suppliers with the necessary data to test the suitability and reliability of o their materials and products.

Fire Testing

We offer complete material and structural certification for fire testing: flammability, heat resistance, flame spread, fire behaviour, heat release, smoke gas development and smoke gas toxicity. We also offer full-scale tunnel fire testing.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

We provide full testing and certification for electrical and electronic products and devices to comply with EMC regulations.

Electrical Testing

We also offer electrical testing to test functionality, switch-on and switch-off capacity, short-circuit tests, heating tests, and insulation tests.

Vibration and Shock Test

We provide vibration and shock testing, including multiaxial vibration testing with optional superimposed climate testing, as well as functional testing before, during, and after vibration testing.

Climate Test and IP Protection Test

We offer combined temperature and humidity testing as well as temperature shock tests to see how railway products react under different conditions. We also evaluate IP protection with dust chambers, salt sprays, immersion basins, and IP water production tests.

Calibration & Legal Metrology

We offer both calibration in-laboratory and in-situ calibration services tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, we provide comprehensive legal metrology services and precise coordinate measurement (CMM) to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Why Choose Applus+ Laboratories for Railway Testing?

Applus+ Laboratories we offer comprehensive services for your railway-related products, aligning you with a distinguished leader in the testing and certification industry. Our services, compliant with international standards, have been developed through extensive experience and thorough processes.

At Applus+ Laboratories, we offer railway testing services combined with exceptional client services, making us the ideal partner for both manufacturers and suppliers to guide your product from development to market entry.

Choose Applus+ Laboratories as your trusted advisor and partner in railway testing. Our commitment to providing high-quality services and expert guidance is designed to streamline your path to market.