Citation

Andersson R, Torstensson PT, Kabo E, Larsson F. Veh. Syst. Dyn. 2015; 53(1): 68-87.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00423114.2014.982890

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The effect of initial rail surface irregularities on promoting further surface degradation is investigated. The study concerns rolling contact fatigue formation, in particular in the form of the so-called squats. The impact of surface irregularities in the form of dimples is quantified by peak magnitudes of dynamic contact stresses and contact forces. To this end simulations of two-dimensional (later extended to three-dimensional) vertical dynamic vehicle-track interaction are employed. The most influencing parameters are identified. It is shown that even very shallow dimples might have a large impact on local contact stresses. Peak magnitudes of contact forces and stresses due to the influence of rail dimples are shown to exceed those due to rail corrugation.