Dynamic Behavior of Worn Wheels in a Track Containing Several Sharp Curves Based on Field Data Measurements and Simulation

Study of the wheel and rail wear phenomenon can provide the optimal use of wheel profile which results cost efficiency, dynamic stability, travel comfort, and safety to prevent the derailment especially in curves. In this paper, the experimental data is recorded in the from the field measurements worn wheels of a passenger wagon in the “Southern line” of Iran’s railway system and is combined with the dynamic simulations to study the effects of severe wheel flange wear on the dynamics of wagon. The results show that the amount of wheel wear (especially the wheel flange) directly impacts the dynamic behavior of the wagon in curves. In addition, based on the history of wear index and the peak derailment ratio, the appropriate range of the wheel flange thickness in order to repair or replace the worn wheels is suggested in the range of 25 to 27 mm.