A hypothesis on a wavelength fixing mechanism of rail corrugation

Abstract

The mechanism of rail corrugation is analysed by a mathematical model in which a rail is represented as an infinite beam and a bogie as two point masses. The contact forces and the rate of increase in corrugation amplitude are calculated. The result shows that high growing rates occur in some velocity-wavelength regions, which nearly agree with conditions for generation of real line corrugation. It is considered that, in a rail excited at two points, the deformation wave is the result of the interference between those from the two points, and the wave is completely cancelled at the two exciting points under some conditions. This interference is considered as a fundamental mechanism of corrugation.