Rail corrugation characteristics in small radius curve section of Cologne-egg fasteners

Abstract

The typical passing frequencies of corrugation were obtained by analysing the measured corrugation data in small radius curve track with Cologne-egg fasteners. The three-dimensional solid element model of track structure was established with the software ABAQUS, and modal analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between natural frequencies of track structure and passing frequencies of corrugation. By using the material wear model based on friction work theory, the frequency characteristics of corrugation and the development law of wear under different speeds were studied, and the control measures of corrugation were analysed. The new point of this study is to implement the above dynamic analysis from the perspective of vehicle (with flexible wheelsets) track space coupling, which can consider the coupled relationship in three directions of space. The results show that the generation of corrugation is closely related to the mechanical characteristics of track structure. Passing frequencies do not change with speeds, reflecting the frequency-fixing characteristics of corrugation. The analysis of control measures of corrugation shows that the smaller the friction coefficient is, the less likely the rail is to produce corrugation. The existence of rail vibration absorber can eliminate the generation of some short wavelength corrugation and reduce the rail bending vibration, which has a significant effect on the control of corrugation.