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Civil-Comp Proceedings
ISSN 1759-3433
CCP: 110
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Edited by: J. Pombo
Paper 116

A Simplified Dynamic Finite Element Model for the Impact of a Wheel on a Crossing: Validation and Parameter Study

J. Wiedorn1, W. Daves1, H. Ossberger2 and M. Pletz3

1Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH, Leoben, Austria
2VAE GmbH, Zeltweg, Austria
3Department of Polymer Engineering and Science, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
J. Wiedorn, W. Daves, H. Ossberger, M. Pletz, "A Simplified Dynamic Finite Element Model for the Impact of a Wheel on a Crossing: Validation and Parameter Study", in J. Pombo, (Editor), "Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 116, 2016. doi:10.4203/ccp.110.116
Keywords: contact, crossing, dynamics, explicit, finite element analysis, forces, impact, simplified model.

Summary
In this paper, an explicit finite element model is introduced that describes the vertical impact of a wheel on a crossing nose. The wheel runs along a simplified crossing geometry which consists of a continuous rail with a flat and an inclined section where the impact occurs. The inclination (impact angle) can be extracted from the real wheel and crossing geometry. The simplified model is validated with results from a model with realistic crossing geometry. The simplified model lacks the ability to describe the dynamics before the main impact on the crossing nose occurs. However, the results are suitable for the intended purpose. With the simplified model, the influence of parameters such as impact angle, crossing radius and train velocity on the impact forces occurring are studied. A nearly linear increase in the impact force with increasing impact angles was calculated. For smaller crossing head radii, the impact forces clearly decrease, but occurring contact pressures and plastic strains increase.

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