Gauge corner and flange root degradation estimation from rail, wheel and track geometry

A methodology to predict gauge corner and flange root degradation in terms of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and wear from measured rail, wheel and track geometries by so-called meta-models is presented. The methodology sets out from a parameterisation of the gauge corner and the flange root profiles. Statistics of measured rail and wheel profiles are then used to create scenarios, which are employed in multibody dynamics simulations with degradation quantified by RCF and wear indices. Finally regression analysis is employed to derive meta-models to predict whether contact will occur at the gauge corner and (when this is the case) quantify RCF and wear impact. Derived meta-models are used to rank measured profiles based on how detrimental they are. Robustness is assessed through comparisons for two different vehicles. The ability to rank measured profiles without computationally expensive simulations (including needs for additional presumptions that such simulations require) makes the study valuable e.g. for maintenance planning