UNDERSTANDING WHEEL-RAIL ADHESION

The terms of wheel-rail adhesion are defined. An extensive review of the problems associated with adhesion and the attempts to solve these problems is presented. The results of experiments conducted by the author on scale equipment show that creep is present as long as there is adhesion demand. As the adhesion demand increases, the percentage creep increases until creep becomes slip and eventually slide. It is shown that true adhesion varies with velocity. Suggestions are given for means of approaching true adhesion values on the railroad. The danger of wheel damage caused by high adhesion could offset the advantages.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Railroad Division of the ASME for presentation at the ASME-AIEE Railroad Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 20-21, 1960.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Cabble Jr, G M
• Publication Date: 1960-4-20

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Coefficients; Creep; Defects; Dynamics; Locomotives; Railroad rails; Ratios; Slip (Fluid mechanics); Subgrade (Pavements); Technology; Train track dynamics; Velocity; Wheel slip; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Slip ratio
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Adhesion coefficient; Slip velocity; Wheel defects
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040390
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 60-RR-3 Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM