SLIP-STICK VIBRATIONS MAY HOLD THE KEY TO CORRUGATION PUZZLE

Abstract

The rail corrugation problem is getting worse; grinding or planing merely alleviates the symptoms. Long wave corrugations in sharp curves used by EMUs probably result from wear caused by lateral vibration of the outer rail as wheelsets suffer periodic sideways slip. It appears likely that a similar but more complex slip-stick phenomenon exciting lateral vibration of the rails may lie at the root of short-wave corrugations, even on straight track. But there is still some way to go before solutions can be identified.