Field measurement and model prediction of rail corrugation

Abstract

In a field test, three corrugation profiles of rails and their corresponding vibrations were measured, and the wavelengths and frequencies of rail corrugations were obtained. In the model prediction, finite-element models of the self-excited vibrations corresponding to three different wheelset–track systems were established. The corrugation frequencies of these models were predicted, and a comparison between the measured and the predicted corrugation frequencies showed that they are in good agreement. It can be concluded that the self-excited vibration of a wheelset–track system can cause rail corrugation. A benchmark condition for the validation of rail corrugation models is proposed.