Analysis on elastoplastic evolution characteristics of rail corrugation in small radius section of heavy-haul railway

As the serious condition of rail corrugation in the small radius curve of the heavy-haul railway, the dynamics model of wagons and the elastic-plastic cyclic loading model of the small radius curve based on semi-Hertzian wheel-rail contact algorithm were established, and the plastic behavior characteristics of trough and crest region were revealed in the evolution process of heavy-haul corrugation. The influences of rail cants and curve radius on the development of rail corrugation were compared and analyzed. The results show that the rail surface material will reach a stable state with the action of wheel/rail load, and the plastic accumulation deformation of the trough area of rail corrugation is larger than that of the crest region. The difference in the plastic accumulation characteristics of the troughs and crests promotes the further development of rail corrugation. With different curve radii, the plastic accumulation in the corrugation through varies obviously along the direction of depth. When the curve radius is small, the maximum plastic accumulation occurs on the rail surface, and the maximum plastic accumulation point appears within the range of 2−3 mm below the rail surface while the curve radius is larger. Small curve radius and superelevation excess have an obvious promoting effect on the development of rail corrugation disease. In the process of the track design, a curve radius less than 500 m should be avoided as far as possible. For the operating line, the excessive superelevation will promote the further development of corrugation disease, so the vehicle operating speed should be maintained in the operation process. © 2023 Central South University of Technology. All rights reserved.