Railway wheel and rail head profiles development based on the geometric characteristics shapes

The proposed contribution deals with the methods for the railway wheel and rail head profiles development on the base of the intended shape of wheelset/track contact geometric characteristics. The profiles creation method through arcs radii profile variation is explained, as well as the emphasis is directed to the “Iterative method for a railway wheel tread profile design”. This method is explained in a more detailed way in the article. The base for the creation of new profiles with the help of the first method is an interactive attitude based on the modification of the original shape which is defined by section of a railway wheel profile, with interconnected and exactly defined arcs radii. It is possible to change them, according to shape needs of the final geometrical characteristics.The base of the iterative method, which is of the highest importance in this article, is to develop a new profile under given conditions – a prescribed shape of the contact points distribution and the shape of Delta-r function. The newly developed wheel profile in the couple with given rail profile will have the requested chosen characteristics shapes. This method can be after modification used for a design of rail profile in accordance to the wheel profile.

Research highlights▶ Wheel and rail profiles based on the shape of wheelset/track contact geometric characteristics. ▶ The “Profiles creation method through arcs radii profile variation” is explained. ▶ A shape modification of the wheel profile with interconnected and exactly defined arcs radii. ▶ The “Iterative method for a railway wheel tread profile design” is explained. ▶A prescribed shape of a contact points distribution and the Delta-r function shape.