Simulation and full-scale measurement of the wear in curved tracks

Abstract

Rail wear is extremely intensive in curved tracks. In this paper, rail wear condition in curves is discussed. To test, the most critical curve of the second line of Tehran subway was selected. Track, from the viewpoints of either geometrical properties or mechanical properties was modeled in ADAMS/RAILcopy software according to actual situation. After simulation, wear trend was determined for different parts of the curve. The accuracy of results was proved by comparing them with field measurements, measured during three years by Miniprofcopy. It was discovered that in curves instead of one critical point (midpoint), there is a critical region, near the middle of the curve, regarding wear. Also parts of curve that rail probably will face RCF were determined. Determining critical points of rail will result in several important issues such as specifying parts of rail that need specific heat treatment, and choosing suitable kind of lubricants (liquid or solid) and their places, and better rail maintenance. It is also possible to determined optimum operational parameters (acceleration, speed...) to reduce rail wear