A NEW CONTINUOUS MEASURING METHOD OF WHEEL/RAIL CONTACT FORCES

Abstract

Wheel load fluctuation of considerable amplitude is almost always observed on Shinkansen vehicles running at high speed. From the acceleration measured on the axlebox, the frquency of this fluctuation is estimated to be approximately 50 to 70 Hz. As continuous outputs of wheel load can not be obtained by the conventional measuring method, it is difficult to investigate such a high frequency phenomenon exactly. A new method of continuous measuring the forces and derailment quotients up to about 100 Hz has been developed, using the strain of a wheel. In the running test on Shinkansen, it was confirmed by using this method that the wheel load fluctuation was related to the axlebox acceleration generated through small irregularity on the rail surface.