Analysis of vertical dynamic wheel/rail interaction caused by polygonal wheels on high-speed trains

• Published in: Wear 2014-06, Vol.314 (1-2), p.282-290
• Main Authors: Liu, Xiaoyuan, Zhai, Wanming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dynamic wheel/rail interaction; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); High-speed train; Mechanical contact (friction...); Physics; Polygonal wheel; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Vehicle-track coupled dynamics
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2013.11.048

In order to investigate vertical dynamic wheel/rail interaction resulting from a polygonal wheel at high-speeds, a vertical vehicle-track coupled dynamics model is adopted. The measured results from German ICE polygonal wheels are utilized as multi-harmonic excitations. Two types of out-of-round wheels, the periodic and the non-periodic, are simulated and compared. The dynamic wheel/rail interaction induced by different harmonics is analyzed in both time and frequency domains. Results demonstrate that the polygonal wheel will result in considerable fluctuation of wheel/rail contact force. Derivative of wheel radial deviations can effectively reflect dynamic wheel/rail contact force at train speeds above 300km/h. Dynamic wheel/rail load becomes more sensitive to high order harmonics with increased speeds. Influence of the out-of-round wheel on vehicle system is mainly related to the wheelset vibration. Short-wavelength components of the polygonal wheel stimulate high-frequency vibrations of rails and sleepers. •A vehicle-track coupled model is adopted to simulate wheel/rail interaction.•The polygonal wheel causes obvious fluctuations of wheel/rail force at high speeds.•The derivative of radial deviation reflects dynamic wheel/rail contact force.•The dynamic wheel/rail interaction is categorized into three main forms.•Short-wavelength harmonics of the polygonal wheel intensify rail vibration.