Theoretical study on Wheel-Rail interface defects

Abstract

The wheel-rail interface has a strong interaction with the total train-track system. Phenomena occurring in the wheel-rail interface will affect the train-track system, and vice versa. A good management of the wheel-rail interface requires a thorough understanding of the inherent mechanisms and the influence of different parameters. The shape of the wheel-rail contact greatly influences a number of key factors important to running a safe and efficient railway which are vehicle stability and ride comfort, vehicle and ground borne noise and vibration, wheel and rail wear rates, derailment, the occurrence of Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) and the occurrence of corrugations. The thesis aims to improve the reliability and safety of the railway system through better understanding of wheel-rail interface, reduce noise and vibrations due to wheel-rail interface through better understanding of wheel-rail interface, predict defects of wheel-rail interface and to derivate suitable recommendations for minimizing the defects of wheel-rail interface and treating the defects. The methodology to accomplish the thesis aims was reviewing important wheel-rail interface parameters and terms, studying important wheel-rail interface forces and stresses, investigating important wheel-rail interface behavior disciplines, analyzing important wheel-rail interface defects and finally deriving recommendations and treatment of important wheel-rail interface defects. Key words: wheel-rail interface, rolling contact fatigue (RCF), noise, vibration, ride comfort, vehicle stability, rail wear rates, derailment, particle emissions, stress intensity factor (SIF). SUPERVISORS Dr. Hany Sobhy Riad Dr. Haytham Nour Eldin Zohny