| Abstract: | A Finite Element (FE) model of vehicle-track system is employed to duplicate the experiments carried out by British Rail and CP Rail System. The theoretical results of the wheel/rail contact forces, rail-pad forces and strains in the rail showed very good correlation to the experimental data. Extensive results are compared with experimental data in the time domain for through validation of the developed model. The characteristics of the impact loads due to wheel flats and shells are investigated based on the validated FE model. The study shows that the shape and size of flat or shell, axle load, vehicle speed and rail-pad stiffness mainly affect the impact loads. Adding elastomeric shear pads on the wheelset bearing does not reduce the wheel/rail dynamic contact force but it may reduce the dynamic force on the bearing. Reducing rail-pad stiffness to a certain level on a concrete-tie track may significantly reduce the dynamic load and the force transmitted to the concrete tie. |
