WHEEL RAIL ADHESION LITERATURE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS (WORKING PAPER ON)

This report presents a study of wheel-rail adhesion based on a review and analysis of available literature searched through various computer databases and other professional/personal files. Over 160 papers and other documents were identified and analyzed for this review. It was found that after 1986, most of the adhesion studies reported were conducted in Japan, with little new work done in U.S. or Europe. An introduction to the elements of adhesion and creep is given first. Factors affecting wheel-rail adhesion are then discussed in some detail. The major factor is the rail surface contamination due to organic material (leaves etc), water/moisture, fuel, oil (dripped on the rail), greases, rail filings, sand and rust. Other important factors are: track curves; rail joints; track quality; wheel flats and out of round; vehicle dynamics; truck suspension; train speed; wheel and rail profiles; wheel creep; power and creep control; DC versus AC traction; and wheel-rail metallurgies. Methods to improve adhesion were also reviewed and analyzed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB96-114533. Sponsored by Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC, and Association of American Railroads, Pueblo, CO, Transportation Test Center.
• Corporate Authors:

  Tranergy Corporation

  774 Foster Avenue
  Bensenville, IL  United States  60106
• Authors:
  • Kumar, S
  • Dyavanapalli, V
• Publication Date: 1995-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 69 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Car wheels (Railroads); Contaminants; Creep; Guides to the literature; Literature reviews; Rail (Railroads); Surface phenomena; Wear; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contamination
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00721026
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TC-NAS-95-1
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 1996 12:00AM