Field and theoretical investigation of the mechanism of corrugation wavelength fixation under speed variation

To help understand corrugation wavelength fixation mechanisms, this paper uniquely provides a survey of measurements of corrugation occurring on several suburban sites and compares them with model-based predictions. Data include characteristic wavelengths, along with details of the dynamic response of the rail and the typical distribution of train speeds at these sites. In addition, this paper analyses the frequency domain dynamics of the wheel/rail interaction at these field sites, based on an efficient model of variable speed corrugation development using the measured receptance and speed data. The model-based predictions of corrugation wavelength are then compared with those given through spectral analysis of the measured rail profile at each of the sites. A method of using spectral analysis on a measured track profile is also presented for separating two dominant wavelengths of corrugation which change with respect to sleeper positioning. Results showed that the analytical model consistently predicted the dominant wavelength of corrugation growth using experimental vertical receptance and passing speed distribution data over a range of field sites featuring corrugations on curved track. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.