Research Into Rail Side Wearing on Curves

Abstract

Factors influencing rail side wearing in the curves are described in the article. All of them are divided into uncontrolled, partially controlled and controlled. An experiment was carried out on Lithuanian railway line curves. The experiment proceeding conditions and the obtained results are presented. The object of the experimental research is 19 curves. The investigations of dynamic changes in rail wearing and in rail track geometrical parameters on curves were being carried out for one and a half year. The experimental results, associated with the railway gauge influence on rail wearing on curves are analyzed more precisely. Measurement results are described using mathematical dependences. According to the dependences it is possible to estimate the influence of gauge on rail side wearing on curves.

Reduction of external rail wearing on road curves

“…It is estimated that the increase of external rail cant and gauge widening decreases rail wearing intensity on curves. Therefore it is suggested to widen the gauge on the curves with radius less than 650 m [10] and to apply a smaller permissible undamped acceleration norm for passenger train (0,6 m/s 2 ). At present the cants p h , m, are determined by formula [15]:…”

Reduction of External Rail Wearing on Road Curves

“…It is estimated that the increase of external rail cant and gauge widening decreases rail wearing intensity on curves. Therefore it is suggested to widen the gauge on the curves with radius less than 650 m [10] and to apply a smaller permissible undamped acceleration norm for passenger train (0,6 m/s 2 ).…”

“…External rail wearing is influenced by uncontrolled (railway line plan and profile), partially controlled (train weight, axial loads) and controlled (train speed, rail and wheel steel toughness, lubrication of wheel and rail, cant, gauge) factors. Uncontrolled factors can be changed only during the reconstruction of the railway line, changes in partially controlled factors related to reorganisation of maintenance work [10].…”

“…The measurements were done in the length of the orbicular curve near every tenth rail axis. Every curve contained from 25 to 35 measurement points (taking into account curve radius) [10]. In every fixed curve point cant, gauge and external rail head side wear was measured and rail head side wear intensity ' s ω was calculated according to the formula:…”

Influence of Gauge Width on Rail Side Wear on Track Curves

“…As can be seen, norms accepted in 1970 have decreased the gauge width and increased permissible deviations of decrement. As far as it is known, influence of these changes on interaction of trains and rails was not investigated [9].…”