Analysis of the Effect of Rail Curving and Friction on Wear Using FEM

In the recent years rail-wheel contact becomes point of attention due to complex dynamic system. Traction and curving are the main parameters while dealing with high tangential forces between railway rails and wheels. The maximal stress and tangential surface forces at the wheel–rail contact elliptic area are affected by the wheel–rail contact dynamic load and creepages. Dynamic wheel load is related to the wagon dynamic system, track and wheel–rail interaction. Creepages are related to the motion of wheelset and wheel–rail contact parameters. As the magnitude of contact stress increases danger of high rail wear and rolling contact fatigue increases. It is investigated that the wear rate depends upon the length of contact hence onto the contact area. As contact area increases due to increase of contact pressure wear rate also increases. In the present study, two cases have been investigated .First one is when wheel negotiates a turn (Yaw) and other is wheel camber. In both the cases wheel no longer remain vertical so the abrupt change in contact occurs, hence high rate of wear and contact stresses results.