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A new method for modelling and simulation of the dynamic behaviour of the wheel-rail contact

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Abstract

This paper presents a new method for modelling and simulation of the dynamic behaviour of the wheel-rail contact. The proposed dynamic wheel-rail contact model comprises wheel-rail contact geometry, normal contact problem, tangential contact problem and wheelset dynamic behaviour on the track. This two-degree of freedom model takes into account the lateral displacement of the wheelset and the yaw angle. Single wheel tread rail contact is considered for all simulations and Kalker’s linear theory and heuristic non-linear creep models are employed. The second order differential equations are reduced to first order and the forward velocity of the wheelset is increased until the wheelset critical velocity is reached. This approach does not require solving mathematical equations in order to estimate the critical velocity of the dynamic wheel-rail contact model. The mathematical model is implemented in Matlab using numerical differentiation method. The simulated results compare well with the estimated results based on classical theory related to the dynamic behaviour of rail-wheel contact so the model is validated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Diagnostic Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK

    Arthur Anyakwo, Crinela Pislaru & Andrew Ball

Authors
  1. Arthur Anyakwo
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  2. Crinela Pislaru
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  3. Andrew Ball
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Correspondence to Arthur Anyakwo.

Additional information

Arthur Anyakwo graduated from Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria in 2007. He received his M. Sc. (Distinction) degree from University of Strathclyde Glasgow, UK in 2009. He is currently a Ph. D. candidate in Centre for Diagnostic Engineering, University of Huddersfield, UK.

His research interests include modelling and monitoring rail-wheel contact in rolling railway vehicles using intelligent wireless sensors, wear, rolling contact fatigue, wheel profile design, and railway vehicle dynamics.

Crinela Pislaru obtained M. Eng. (Distinction) degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Transilvania University Brasov, Romania in 1991. She received her Ph.D. degree in control engineering from the University of Huddersfield, UK in 2001. Currently, she is senior lecturer in the Engineering and Technology Department at the University of Huddersfield, UK. She is the author of over 90 refereed publications and a reviewer for several internationally leading journals. She has been working on EPSRC and EU projects with the total amount of over 600K and currently co-ordinates rail research activities within the UK Centre for Diagnostic Engineering.

Her research interests include intelligent control systems, mechatronic technologies, real time implementation, multibody system dynamics, expert systems, ultrasonics, process monitoring, modeling, control and optimal design, self-maintenance of electrical drives, and automation.

Andrew Ball obtained B. Eng. degree in mechanical engineering from University of Leeds, UK in 1987. Later on he received the Ph.D. degree in machinery condition monitoring from the University of Manchester. Currently, he is a professor of diagnostic engineering and pro-vice-chancellor for research and enterprise at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Also he is the director of the UK Centre for Diagnostics Engineering — the largest independent engineering diagnostics R&D activity in the world. The Centre specialises in machinery condition and performance monitoring, data analysis, signal processing and sensor systems design and development. He is the author of well over 200 technical and professional publications, and he has spent a large amount of time lecturing and consulting to industry in all parts of the world.

His research interests include detection and diagnosis of faults in mechanical, electrical and electro-hydraulic machines, and data analysis and signal processing.

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Anyakwo, A., Pislaru, C. & Ball, A. A new method for modelling and simulation of the dynamic behaviour of the wheel-rail contact. Int. J. Autom. Comput. 9, 237–247 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11633-012-0640-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11633-012-0640-6

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