Numerical analysis of the dynamic interaction between wheel set and turnout crossing using the explicit finite element method

ABSTRACT A three-dimensional (3-D) explicit dynamic finite element (FE) model is developed to simulate the impact of the wheel on the crossing nose. The model consists of a wheel set moving over the turnout crossing. Realistic wheel, wing rail and crossing geometries have been used in the model. Using this model the dynamic responses of the system such as the contact forces between the wheel and the crossing, crossing nose displacements and accelerations, stresses in rail material as well as in sleepers and ballast can be obtained. Detailed analysis of the wheel set and crossing interaction using the local contact stress state in the rail is possible as well, which provides a good basis for prediction of the long-term behaviour of the crossing (fatigue analysis). In order to tune and validate the FE model field measurements conducted on several turnouts in the railway network in the Netherlands are used here. The parametric study including variations of the crossing nose geometries performed here demonstrates the capabilities of the developed model. The results of the validation and parametric study are presented and discussed.

[1]  D. Sun,et al.  Damage of a Hadfield steel crossing due to wheel rolling impact passages , 2013 .

[2]  S. Brunia,et al.  Effects of train impacts on urban turnouts : Modelling and validation through measurements , 2009 .

[3]  Jens C. O. Nielsen,et al.  Wheel–rail interaction and damage in switches and crossings , 2012 .

[4]  A. P. De Man,et al.  Dynatrack: A survey of dynamic railway track properties and their quality , 2002 .

[5]  Elias Kassa,et al.  Simulation of train–turnout interaction and plastic deformation of rail profiles , 2006 .

[6]  I. Shevtsov,et al.  Experimental Analysis of the Dynamic Behaviour of Railway Turnouts , 2012 .

[7]  Björn Pålsson,et al.  Optimisation of Railway Switches and Crossings , 2014 .

[8]  Zili Li,et al.  The solution of frictional wheel–rail rolling contact with a 3D transient finite element model: Validation and error analysis , 2011 .

[9]  Fucheng Zhang,et al.  Numerical simulation of stress and deformation in a railway crossing , 2011 .

[10]  V. L. Markine,et al.  An experimental study on crossing nose damage of railway turnouts in The Netherlands , 2013 .

[11]  I. Y. Shevtsov,et al.  Analysis of train/turnout vertical interaction using a fast numerical model and validation of that model , 2014 .

[12]  Werner Daves,et al.  A wheel passing a crossing nose: Dynamic analysis under high axle loads using finite element modelling* , 2012 .

[13]  Jens C. O. Nielsen,et al.  Simulation of wheel-rail contact and damage in switches & crossings , 2009 .

[14]  W. Daves,et al.  A wheel set/crossing model regarding impact, sliding and deformation—Explicit finite element approach , 2012 .

[15]  V. Markine,et al.  Combatting RCF on switch points by tuning elastic track properties , 2011 .

[16]  I. Y. Shevtsov,et al.  Improvement of vehicle–turnout interaction by optimising the shape of crossing nose , 2014 .

[17]  Stefano Bruni,et al.  Effects of train impacts on urban turnouts: Modelling and validation through measurements , 2009 .

[18]  Jens C. O. Nielsen,et al.  Simulation of dynamic interaction between train and railway turnout , 2006 .

[19]  Jonas W. Ringsberg,et al.  Life prediction of rolling contact fatigue crack initiation , 2001 .

[20]  F. Fischer,et al.  Deformation and damage of a crossing nose due to wheel passages , 2008 .

[21]  Jens C. O. Nielsen,et al.  Assessment of methods for calculating contact pressure in wheel–rail/switch contact , 2006 .

[22]  A. Polycarpou,et al.  Measurement and Modeling of Normal Contact Stiffness and Contact Damping at the Meso Scale , 2005 .