Case Study: BNSF Logistics achieves rapid, cost-effective AAR-compliant railcar structural validation with ANSYS

BNSF Logistics - Customer Case Study

BNSF Logistics was asked to perform a stress analysis on a new 5,200 cubic foot covered hopper railcar after a customer’s design initially failed to meet Association of American Railroads (AAR) structural requirements. BNSF Logistics used ANSYS (ANSYS Mechanical and ANSYS DesignModeler) to convert CAD models into finite element models and to drive the verification work needed to deliver a modified CAD design and supporting analysis.

ANSYS provided fast CAD-to-FEA integration, advanced linear and nonlinear simulation, and reliable stress feedback that let BNSF Logistics demonstrate compliance with AAR load cases and deliver an on-time drawing package. By using ANSYS, BNSF Logistics avoided expensive hardware testing, achieved a quicker turnaround, and produced a validated, cost-effective railcar design for the customer.

BNSF Logistics

Christof Hettiger

Mechanical Engineer, EIT