Parametric Study of Track Support Structure to Minimize the Occurrence Possibility of Rail Corrugation

Abstract

Changing the track support structure is an effective method to suppress or eliminate rail corrugation in practical engineering. Rail corrugation on small-radius curves with booted short sleepers is the main research object in the present paper. A relevant finite element model of the wheelset-track system supported by booted short sleepers is built combined with the dynamic analysis of the vehicle-track system. The effects of various parameters of booted short sleeper structure on the wheel–rail friction-induced vibration are investigated by complex eigenvalue analysis. Considering the interaction of multiple parameters in the booted short sleeper structure, the multi-parameter fitting equation forecasting the possibility of rail corrugation is obtained using the least squares algorithm. Results show that wheel–rail friction-induced oscillation is a contributing factor in the formation of rail corrugation. Controlling wheel–rail friction-induced oscillation with a frequency of about 300 Hz is beneficial to suppress the possibility of rail corrugation in sections with booted short sleepers. Lower fastener stiffness or greater vertical fastener damping make it less likely that rail corrugation will occur. Rail corrugation is not generated when the vertical stiffness of the fastener is controlled below 20 MN/m in the booted short sleeper.