Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of HTS maglev Train Under Guideway Disturbances

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnetic levitation systems exhibit contactless levitation with strongly nonlinear force–displacement behavior and extremely low inherent damping. This work examines the nonlinear dynamics of an HTS maglev train, with particular focus on the engineering implications of its sensitivity to guideway-induced disturbances. To support design-oriented analytical investigations, a reduced-order dynamic model is developed that retains the essential nonlinear features of the levitation force, and the Multiple Scales Method (MSM) is employed to derive analytical expressions for the system vertical oscillations. The proposed framework enables an analytical assessment of the influence of key design parameters on the system dynamics. The analysis reveals resonance conditions arising from the interaction between external disturbances and nonlinear levitation effects, which may lead to excessive vibration levels if not properly addressed at the design stage. Numerical simulations based on direct time-domain integration show good agreement with the analytical solutions over a broad range of operating conditions. Overall, the proposed approach offers an efficient, design-oriented tool for parameter optimization and the mitigation of vibration-related issues in HTS maglev systems.