Simulation Study on Parameters Influencing Wheel/Rail Wear in Railway Curve

With the use of virtual prototyping technology in SIMPACK,and from the viewpoint of track design,maintenance and repair,simulation and analysis have been carried out on the wheel/rail wear caused by vehicle speed,rail cant,superelevation on curve and rail lubrication.Analysis results indicate that in order to reduce the wheel/rail wear and guarantee driving safety,train speed should be slightly lower than the highest speed determined by the track condition.If the superelevation on curve is excessive or inadequate,the wheel/rail wear will be increased.Commonly,the superelevation on small-radius curve is especially large,so decreasing properly the superelevation on small-radius curve can favorably reduce wheel/rail wear.If the rail cant is increased properly,wheel/rail wear will be decreased,but it is not very effective.Furthermore,when rail cant is too large,wheel/rail wear will be increased.Lubricating oil on the rail can effectively lower wheel/rail wear,but excessive lubricating is disadvantageous to wear reduction.