A parametric study of the effects of freight vehicles on rolling contact fatigue of rail

Abstract

The steering forces between the rail and wheels of freight vehicles can cause rolling contact fatigue (RCF) of the rail under normal curving conditions. A parametric study has been performed to quantify the effects of various freight vehicle parameters on the generation of RCF. The parameters that vary include primary clearances and stiffnesses, bogie and axle spacing, side bearing clearances, track geometry, unsprung mass, axle load, and wheelset conicity. Three different freight suspensions have been considered: an enhanced three-piece bogie, a rigid-frame bogie with primary suspension, and a two-axle vehicle with leaf springs. Simulations were performed for track curvature ranging from 400 to 10 000 m. The results show that some parameters have a significant effect on RCF, whereas others have no, or only a slight effect. The conclusions are intended to help analysts to focus their future studies on these important freight vehicle parameters.