An Interpretable Method for Operational Modal Analysis in Time-Frequency Representation and Its Applications to Railway Sleepers

Operational modal analysis (OMA) enables the identification of modal characteristics under operational loads and conditions. Traditional frequency-domain methods cannot directly capture modal changes over time, while existing time-frequency representations are not sufficiently interpretable due to spurious modes and implicit parameter design....

Mechanism of short pitch rail corrugation: initial excitation and frequency selection for consistent initiation and growth

This paper proposes a new hypothesis for the formation process of short pitch rail corrugation. An FE wheel-track dynamic model is utilized to verify the hypothesis by reproducing corrugation initiation and consistent growth. It is found longitudinal compression modes are responsible for corrugation initiation with necessary initial...

Vibration modes and wave propagation of the rail under fastening constraint

This paper investigates three-dimensional (3D) rail vibrations under fastening constraint up to 5000 Hz and provides insights into rail vibration control by fastening parameters. A methodology is proposed, including experimental investigation and numerical simulations of rail vibrations. Three steps are considered: 1) experimental investigation...

Multimodal dispersive waves in a free rail: Numerical modeling and experimental investigation

In this paper, we present a solution method based on finite element (FE) modeling to predict multimodal dispersive waves in a free rail. As well as the modal behaviors and wavenumber-frequency dispersion relations, the phase and group velocities of six types of propagative waves are also derived and discussed in detail in the frequency range...