Parametric investigation of railway fastenings into the formation and mitigation of short pitch corrugation

Zhang, P.; Li, S.; Dollevoet, R.P.B.J.; Li, Z.

doi:10.1007/s40534-024-00332-w

Parametric investigation of railway fastenings into the formation and mitigation of short pitch corrugation

Title

Parametric investigation of railway fastenings into the formation and mitigation of short pitch corrugation

Author

Zhang, P. (TU Delft Railway Engineering)
Li, S. (TU Delft Railway Engineering)
Dollevoet, R.P.B.J. (TU Delft Railway Engineering)
Li, Z. (TU Delft Railway Engineering)

Date

2024

Abstract

Short pitch corrugation has been a problem for railways worldwide over one century. In this paper, a parametric investigation of fastenings is conducted to understand the corrugation formation mechanism and gain insights into corrugation mitigation. A three-dimensional finite element vehicle–track dynamic interaction model is employed, which considers the coupling between the structural dynamics and the contact mechanics, while the damage mechanism is assumed to be differential wear. Various fastening models with different configurations, boundary conditions, and parameters of stiffness and damping are built up and analysed. These models may represent different service stages of fastenings in the field. Besides, the effect of train speeds on corrugation features is studied. The results indicate: (1) Fastening parameters and modelling play an important role in corrugation formation. (2) The fastening longitudinal constraint to the rail is the major factor that determines the corrugation formation. The fastening vertical and lateral constraints influence corrugation features in terms of spatial distribution and wavelength components. (3) The strengthening of fastening constraints in the longitudinal dimension helps to mitigate corrugation. Meanwhile, the inner fastening constraint in the lateral direction is necessary for corrugation alleviation. (4) The increase in fastening longitudinal stiffness and damping can reduce the vibration amplitudes of longitudinal compression modes and thus reduce the track corrugation propensity. The simulation in this work can well explain the field corrugation in terms of the occurrence possibility and major wavelength components. It can also explain the field data with respect to the small variation between the corrugation wavelength and train speed, which is caused by frequency selection and jump between rail longitudinal compression modes.

Subject

Corrugation formation and mitigation
Fastening modelling and parameters
Finite element vehicle–track interaction model
Rail longitudinal compression modes
Short pitch corrugation

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:666d9f4f-fdf5-4d48-870c-d0b3191b7090

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40534-024-00332-w

ISSN

2662-4745

Source

Railway Engineering Science

Part of collection

Institutional Repository