Effects on short pitch rail corrugation growth of a rail vibration absorber/damper

Rail corrugation growth is related to the wheel–track dynamics and uneven wear on the rail head. The so-called pinned–pinned resonance of track vibration is considered as the cause of short pitch rail corrugation that is associated with railway rolling noise generation. A promising measure for reducing railway rolling noise is by the use of rail vibration absorber/damper. Reduction of 5–6 dB in the rail radiated noise can be achieved using rail vibration absorber/damper. In addition a rail vibration absorber/damper is found to be able to suppress the pinned–pinned resonance, and thus, its use may lead to attenuate formation of short pitch rail corrugation. In this work the effects of rail vibration absorber on short pitch rail corrugation growth are studied by combining the wheel–track-absorber dynamics, rolling contact mechanics and wear. The evolution process of rail corrugation is simulated and the results show that short pitch rail corrugation, whose wavelength is associated with the pinned–pinned resonance, is effectively suppressed by a rail vibration absorber. The use of rail vibration absorber has both immediate and long term effect on the railway rolling noise control, i.e. reducing the rail radiation and attenuating growth of short pitch rail corrugation, respectively.

Research highlights▶ Rail vibration absorber is found to be able to suppress the pinned–pinned resonance of track vibration. Its effects on short pitch rail corrugation growth are studied by combining the dynamics, contact mechanics and wear models. The evolution process of rail corrugation is simulated and the results show that short pitch rail corrugation may effectively be suppressed by the use of rail vibration absorber.