Effect of track irregularities on initiation and evolution of rail corrugation

The effect of track irregularities on rail corrugation is investigated in detail with the numerical method when a wheelset is steadily curving. The irregularities considered in the analysis include initial running surface of rail with periodically varying and different wave length, stochastic roughness on the rail running surface, and vertical uneven support stiffness of the rail due to the discrete sleeper supports. The numerical method considers a combination of Kalker's rolling contact theory with non-Hertzian to be modified, a linear frictional work model and a vertical dynamics model of railway vehicle coupled with a curved track. The model is also validated by an experiment with a full scale facility. The influence of different speeds of wheelset curving on the development of the corrugation is taken into account in the calculation. The numerical results indicate that (1) for existing of the initial corrugation of new rail with any wavelength the depth from the peak to trough of it decreases gradually with an increase of wheelset passage, but the initial corrugation evolved has a tendency to move in the rolling direction, (2) the amplitude of the initial stochastic roughness of new rail is gradually leveled out and but a corrugation with very small depth and a few fixed passing frequencies is initiated, the passing frequencies are the same as the natural frequencies of the track, and (3) the discrete rail supports by sleepers have a great influence on the formation of the corrugation. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.