Simulation of Wheel/Rail Interaction in Turnouts and Special Track Work

Abstract

SUMMARYA successful methodology is presented for simulating back of flange contact in turnouts and special track work in the NUCARS vehicle/track interaction multi-body simulation program. Simulated results for a vehicle in a turnout are shown as an example. NUCARS simulations are shown to compare with measurements of wheel/rail forces made with instrumented load measuring wheels. Limitations of the methodology are discussed and ongoing development of the NUCARS software to improve the simulation of special track work is presented.