Investigation of railway curve squeal using a combination of frequency- and time-domain models

Abstract

Railway curve squeal arises from self-excited vibrations during curving. In this paper, a frequency- and a timedomainapproach for curve squeal are compared. In particular, the capability of the frequency-domain model topredict the onset of squeal and the squeal frequencies is studied. In the frequency-domain model, linear stabilityis investigated through complex eigenvalue analysis. The time-domain model is based on a Green\u27s functionsapproach and uses a convolution procedure to obtain the system response. To ensure comparability, the samesubmodels are implemented in both squeal models. The structural flexibility of a rotating wheel is modelled byadopting Eulerian coordinates. To account for the moving wheel‒rail contact load, the so-called moving elementmethod is used to model the track. The local friction characteristics in the contact zone is modelled inaccordance with Coulomb\u27s law with a constant friction coefficient. The frictional instability arises due togeometrical coupling. In the time-domain model, Kalker\u27s non-linear, non-steady state rolling contact modelincluding the algorithms NORM and TANG for normal and tangential contact, respectively, is solved in eachtime step. In the frequency-domain model, the normal wheel/rail contact is modelled by a linearization of theforce-displacement relation obtained with NORM around the quasi-static state and full-slip conditions areconsidered in tangential direction. Conditions similar to those of a curve on the Stockholm metro exposed tosevere curve squeal are studied with both squeal models. The influence of the wheel-rail friction coefficient andthe direction of the resulting creep force on the occurrence of squeal is investigated for vanishing train speed. Results from both models are similar in terms of the instability range in the parameter space and the predictedsqueal frequencies