The Calculation and Analysis for the Independent Wheels of Tramcar

The wheel/rail profiles in different wear stages are measured using the apparatus of wheel-rail profile. The 3D elastic-plastic FEM contact models are established for the straight line and curves, in which attack angle is considered. Contact problems between the wheels in different wear stages and the worn rail are studied. Contact area, normal contact force, and equivalent Von Mises stress of different cases are analyzed. The obtained results show that the maximum equivalent Von Mises stress reduces and tends to be steady with the independent wheel wearing. Widening the track gauge can have an influence on the variation of wheel wear positions and the wear rules between wheel and rail. When the wheel with a certain attack angle contacts with rail, the maximum equivalent Von Mises stress appears at the contact region between the flange and rail side. The influence of attack angle on the wear between the wheel and rail is quite serious. It is very important to do the research for the further optimization and design of the wheel/rail profiles.