Impact of wheel profile evolution on the lateral motion characteristics of a high-speed vehicle navigating through turnout

Abstract

The wheel-rail contact asymmetry on the left and right sides of the wheelset while navigating high-speed vehicles through turnouts can lead to lateral motion of the wheelset, ultimately resulting in substantial vibrations in the vehicle system. This study employs the trace method to examine the changing pattern of the wheel-rail equivalent conicity in the turnout area as the wheel profile evolves. A coupled system dynamics model containing flexible turnouts is established. Specifically, the model examines the lateral position of wheel-rail contact points, the lateral motion of the wheelset, and the lateral vibration acceleration of the vehicle system. The study indicates that the lateral motion characteristics of high-speed trains passing through turnouts are influenced by the degree of wheel wear. When the wheels are slightly worn (for mileage below or equal to 100,000 km), the lateral dynamic responses of the vehicle system are affected by the inherent structure of the turnout. When the wheels are severely worn (for mileage above or equal to 150,000 km), the lateral dynamic response of the vehicle system is no longer affected by the inherent structure of the turnout.

KEYWORDS:

• Lateral motion
• turnouts
• stability
• wheel wear
• bogie vibration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China: [Grant Number 2022YFB2603400]; National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 52122810; 51978586; 52108418]; Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province: [Grant Number 2023NSFSC0884]; Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities: [Grant Number 2682022ZTPY067]; Basic Laboratory Research Project of China Railway Group Co. Ltd.: [Grant Number L2021G001]; Technology Research and Development Program of China National Railway Group Co. Ltd.: [Grant Number K2022G034].