Influence of unilateral low adhesion on transient wheel-rail rolling contact and wheel damages.

A time-domain finite element model is developed to study the transient rolling contact of a driving wheelset over a curved track with Low Adhesion Zones (LAZs) shorter than 1.0 m. LAZs on one rail, i.e., unilateral LAZs occurring more likely, is treated for a speed up to 500 km/h. Structural vibrations of wheelset are analyzed to explain the transient contact forces, creepages and the resulting irregular wear. LAZs on high rails are found more detrimental than those on low rails. The results explain the occurrence of flats and rolling contact fatigue in bad weather, although significant wheel idling is absent. • Dynamic curving of a wheelset over a track with short low adhesion zones simulated. • Low adhesion zones are applied on either high or low rail to study the difference. • Resulting creep fluctuation and traction redistribution are studied in detail. • RCF and unilateral flats on high speed wheels occurring in bad weather are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]