Proposals for development of a reference method for measuring lateral forces

Introduction. The article considers the prerequisites for choosing the most expedient reference method of experimental determination (measurement) of the lateral (horizontal transverse) force acting in the contact zone of the wheel and the rail head in relation to the procedure for establishing the conditions for the circulation of rolling stock on the railway network. This is one of the important force factors of the interaction of the rolling stock with the elements of the permanent way of the railway track. The author presents a set of methods for experimental evaluation of lateral forces based on the measurement of rail deformations, which were applied in the works of certified testing centres for railway equipment in Russia and the Commonwealth states.Materials and methods. Based on a set of known experimental techniques, the author proposed to take statistical estimates of the measurement error established by the current interstate regulations as criteria for the validity of the choice of a refe rence measurement technique. Determination of the reference measurement technique involves conducting purposeful experiments with similar conditions, including the types of rolling stock under test, the parameters of the device and structure of the permanent way of the measured section, meteorological parameters, etc. The author has applied the procedures that include the choice and justification of the reference value of the measured indicator, comparison of statistical estimates of the measurement error of lateral forces along with the requirements imposed on the conditions for conducting experiments in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documents of Rosstandart.Results. As a result, the author described the methods for statistical processing of experimental information of various considered techniques for measuring lateral forces, which enabled to justify the choice of the reference measurement technique.Discussion and conclusion. The presented method for determining the reference method for measuring the lateral forces of the impact of the wheel on the rail head according to the deformations of the rail considers the requirements of the regulatory documents of Rosstandart and can be used in the experimental evaluation of interaction indicators in the mechanical wheel — rail system.