Scholarly record
SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF A HYPERLOOP POD FOR FUTURE HIGH-SPEED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Abstract
The development of sustainable and energy-efficient transportation systems has become an important aspect of modern urban planning and future smart mobility concepts. This project presents the initial structural design work carried out for a Hyperloop pod intended to operate in a low-pressure transportation environment as part of an innovative high-speed transport system. The research focused on the development of two alternative load-bearing frame concepts: a welded steel structure and a modular aluminum structure. Both variants were designed with consideration for structural efficiency, modularity, and future sustainability-oriented optimization. Finite Element Method (FEM) analyses were performed to evaluate the strength, stiffness, and structural response under representative operational loads. In addition, a preliminary vibration-damping system was developed to reduce the influence of track irregularities and improve passenger comfort and operational safety. A modular roller-based loading mechanism was also designed to facilitate assembly, maintenance, and transportation of the pod components. The presented work establishes a conceptual foundation for further optimization and integration of future subsystems, while supporting the development of environmentally conscious, lightweight, and adaptable transportation solutions for sustainable cities and next-generation mobility infrastructure.
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References5
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