INFLUENCE OF NONLINEAR WHEEL/RAIL CONTACT GEOMETRY ON STABILITY OF RAIL VEHICLES

Nonlinear behavior caused by wheel flanges, worn wheel treads, and dry friction can have an important effect on rail-vehicle stability. In this paper the influence of such nonlinearities on the stability of rail freight vehicles is investigated using quasi-linearization techniques. Nonlinear equations of motion are presented that describe the lateral behavior of a 9-degree-of-freedom representation of a complete freight car with three-piece trucks. The nonlinear wheel/rail geometric constraint functions for the rolling radii, angle of wheel/rail contact, and wheelset roll angle are found by a numerical technique. The suspension description includes dry friction where appropriate. The hunting stability of the freight car is studied by employing describing-function techniques. Results are presented for a typical freight car with three different wheel profiles. The stability results illustrate the dependence of behavior on the amplitudes of vehicle motions. Application of the results in realistic situations and suggestions for future quasi-linear studies are discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Rail Transportation Division for presentation at the Winter Annual Meeting, New York, December 5-10, 1976, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Hull, R
  • Cooperrider, N K
• Publication Date: 1976-12-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamics; Force; Hunting (Dynamics); Mathematical models; Railroad rails; Railroad wheels; Ride quality; Stability (Mechanics); Train track dynamics; Trucks; Two axle trucks; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wheel profiles
• Subject Areas: Motor Carriers; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145151
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 76-WA/RT-2 Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 1 1977 12:00AM