Numerical models of structures is an important tool for exploring in detail the dynamic behavior. We make three-dimensional finite element models of railway catenaries, both parts of a section as well as complete sections. The models are fast to generate, yet sufficiently accurate in their simulation of non-linear dynamics of catenaries and pantographs. The pantograph model can also move along complex geometry.

Field measurements is an important tool for understanding and analysing the dynamic behaviour of railway catenary systems during train passages. NTNU has in collaboration with Elektromotus developed a monitoring system specifically for this application. The system is designed not to interfere with train operation, and also to resist the disturbance from the electrical currents in the catenary cables.

The monitoring system is easy to mount and unmount, and has been successfully used to measure accelerations on in-operation railway catenary sections throughout Norway. Up to 10 sensors are supported in the system. The sensors consists of a tri-axis accelerometer and a tri-axis gyroscope that can be arbitrarily mounted on the catenary wires, and a master unit that stores the data and controls that the measurements are sampled synchronously.