Testing that Reaches the World

EN 12663 establishes structural requirements for railway vehicle bodies and associated equipment. The standard provides requirements for demonstrating that railway structures can withstand the static and dynamic loads expected during normal operation and specified service conditions.

Structural qualification is an important part of railway vehicle and component development. Equipment must be designed to withstand operational loads while maintaining structural integrity throughout its intended service environment.

Clark Testing provides structural and load testing for railway vehicles, components, and equipment to support qualification programs involving EN 12663 requirements.

EN 12663 Structural Requirements

EN 12663 addresses structural design and verification requirements for railway applications. Testing and analysis may be used to demonstrate that a structure can withstand applicable load cases without unacceptable permanent deformation, structural damage, or failure.

Depending on the equipment and qualification requirements, an EN 12663 test program may evaluate:

• Static structural loads
• Compression and tension loads
• Vertical loads
• Equipment attachment and mounting loads
• Proof and ultimate load conditions
• Structural deformation and displacement
• Load distribution
• Structural integrity following testing

The specific test configuration, loading conditions, instrumentation, and acceptance criteria depend on the railway vehicle or component being evaluated and the applicable requirements of the standard.

EN 12663-1 and EN 12663-2

The EN 12663 standard is divided according to railway application.

EN 12663-1 addresses structural requirements for railway vehicle bodies, including locomotives and passenger rolling stock.

EN 12663-2 addresses structural requirements for freight wagon bodies.

Determining the applicable requirements is an important part of developing the qualification program. Clark can work with customers to review the equipment, applicable standard, load cases, and test requirements before testing begins.

Railway Structural and Load Testing

Clark Testing supports structural qualification programs using equipment and test configurations developed around the size, geometry, and loading requirements of the test article.

Testing may require loads to be applied at specific mounting points or structural interfaces while force, displacement, strain, or other parameters are monitored.

Clark's engineering and testing capabilities allow customers to evaluate railway equipment under controlled laboratory loading conditions and document its response for qualification purposes.

Supporting Complete Railway Qualification Programs

Structural testing is often only one part of a railway equipment qualification program. Rail vehicles and components may also require vibration, shock, environmental, electromagnetic compatibility, and other testing depending on the application and governing specifications.

Clark Testing supports a broad range of rail and transit testing services, allowing manufacturers and suppliers to coordinate multiple qualification requirements through a single testing organization.

Related capabilities include:

• Structural and load testing
• Vibration testing
• Shock testing
• EMC/EMI testing
• Environmental testing
• Equipment qualification testing

EN 12663 Testing at Clark Testing

Clark Testing works with railway manufacturers, suppliers, and engineering organizations to develop structural test programs based on applicable EN 12663 requirements and customer specifications.

Our team can review the test article, structural load requirements, mounting configuration, instrumentation needs, and acceptance criteria to develop an appropriate test approach.

Contact Clark Testing to discuss EN 12663 structural testing or a broader railway equipment qualification program.