Influence of yaw stiffness on the nonlinear dynamics of railway wheelset

A numerical simulation of the dynamic behavior of a railway wheelset is presented. The contact forces between the wheel and the rail are estimated using Johnson and Vermeulen theory of creepages. Nonlinear governing equations of motion of wheelset on a straight track are solved using fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. Both symmetric and asymmetric oscillations and chaotic motion are observed. The influence of yaw stiffness and axial velocity on the response of wheelset is studied. Broadband chaotic motion is developed at various velocity levels. The results are presented in the form of time evolution, phase plots, Poincare maps and bifurcation diagrams. The Lyapunov exponent is calculated and its variation with time is presented. Intermittency is observed. There is a shift in the bifurcation diagram by increasing the yaw stiffness. It indicates that chaotic behavior could be delayed with increasing yaw stiffness.