This paper reports the improved load-bearing design of a long-wheelbase platform car for the transportation of containers. The improvement involves the construction of a special structure to accommodate fitting stops made from composite material. The design of the add-on structures provides an opportunity to reduce dynamic loads between containers and the platform car at the expense of elastic friction bonds.
The dynamic load on the bearing structure of the platform car was determined. To this end, a mathematical model was built that takes into consideration its movement in the vertical plane. The results of resolving the mathematical problem established that the derived values of accelerations were 5.3 % and 6.2 %, respectively, lower than those acting on the platform car and container, taking into consideration the typical scheme of their interaction.
To ensure the strength of the add-on structure, the calculation was performed using a finite-element method. It was established that the maximum stresses occurred in the inclined parts of the add-on structure and were 113.6 MPa, which is much lower than the permissible ones.
In addition, within the framework of this study, a dynamic load on the improved design of the platform car was determined when it moves empty. The calculation results showed that the defined indicators of dynamics were within the permissible limits while the ride of the platform car was "good".
The coefficient of resistance to fatigue of the load-bearing structure of the platform car was determined, taking into consideration the new scheme of interaction with containers. Taking the proposed solutions into account, it becomes possible to increase the resistance coefficient of fatigue of the load-bearing structure of the platform car by 8 % compared to the typical scheme.
The study reported here could help reduce the cost of maintaining combined transport vehicles, as well as improve the efficiency of their operation.