Dynamic Behavior of Different Wheel Profiles and Their Sensitivities to Track Characteristics

Wheel/rail interaction and the relevant phenomena have been of much concern to many railways and researchers during last two or three decades. On going research is being conducted for optimizing interaction between wheel and track. Safety, comfort and economical aspects in rail transportation systems are the very most common research interests in rail transportation systems. The attempts made to increase both the speed and axle load of new railroad vehicles have been the main incentives of the current progressive research in rail industries. Several strategies have been implemented and are still in use by railroad agencies to control the wear of wheels and rails and to enhance safety and ride comfort. Optimizing contact characteristics of wheel and rail using the most compatible wheel and rail profiles is an important issue concerning dynamic interaction of wheel and rail. In this paper, the effect of S1002, IR1002 and P8 wheel profiles on the interaction of wheel and rail for similar track conditions are considered.