Author(s)

J Drozdziel & B Sowinski

Abstract

The subject of this paper results from the requirements of studies related to a simulation of wheelset-track dynamic interactions in the range of frequency up to ca. 30 Hz. Problems which we would like to bring up in the paper refer not only to track geometric irregularities, but also to the wheel and rail rolling surfaces influencing wheel-rail contact forces. Our approach emphasizes the importance of initial processing of measured data that describes wheel and rail profiles. We endeavour here to define track geometrical irregularities and explain different methods of their description, and discuss the resulting implications. Then for measured profiles of wheels and rails we will compare approximation methods, demonstrate selected characteristics of contact parameters and discuss some of their aspects. Special attention will be paid to an approximation of rail profiles in switch and crossing, which undergo remarkable changes. In this case, to avoid inaccuracy induced by an interpolation method of contact parameters calculation, an approach of rail rolling surface approximation and rail profiles generation is applied.

Keywords