Comparison of modeling methods and mitigation measures for curve squealing

Predicting and mitigating curve squealing has always been difficult. This study employed various modeling methods to unify the existing models and establish three finite element models (FEMs) of wheelset–track systems to predict curve squealing. The FEMs of the wheelset–track systems, which incorporated solid fasteners, negative friction–velocity slopes, and multiple wheelsets, were examined using complex eigenvalue analysis to determine their relative capacity to predict curve squeal. The inhibitory effects of damping treatments on curve squeal in both wheels and rails were also studied. The results indicate that, in an improvement on the initial model, the FEMs developed in this study can effectively predict curve squeal with frequencies of 482, 1,205, and 2154 Hz. The wheelset–track system was more likely to produce frictional self-excited vibrations under negative damping and interference from multiple wheelsets, but the impact was small. In addition, the rubber block angle of the resilient wheel was set at 15°. Increasing the damping of the rail vibration absorbers and selecting a continuous–discrete under-rail vibration absorber effectively suppressed the generation of curve squeal.