Wheel/Rail Relationship Optimization of Switch Zone in High-Speed Railway Turnout

Abstract

Wheel/rail relationship design of switch is a core technique in high-speed railway turnout development. A stimulation calculation model is established by employing the train-turnout dynamic theory in order to ensure the stability, safety and switch wear resistance of the turnout on the passenger dedicated lines. Take the 350 km/h PDL NO. 18 turnout as an example, the coupling dynamic stimulation results show when the switch gauge-widen design decreases the switch wear index and switch side wear, and increases top width of switch rail started bearing section, while the dynamic wheel load, flange force and dynamic stress are increased when a train passing turnout through main line. It has particularly some unfavorable influence on a train passing turnout through branch line. Thus, switch gauge-widen technique is not suggested. By comparison of several solutions, wheel/rail relationship optimization design of switch zone is obtained, i.e. lowered values of curved switch rail at top width 0, 3, 20, 50 mm are respectively 23.0, 14.0, 4.0, 0.0 mm; those at straight switch top width 0, 15, 35 mm are respectively 14.0, 3.0, 0.0 mm, thus it can better meet the requirements of running safety and stability when a train pass a turnout at high speed.