Influence of track irregularity on wheelset longitudinal vibration

A longitudinal vibration of wheelset with respect to bogie frame is often exists with possible high acceleration magnitude and relative high frequency. A simple model with one single wheelset moving with constant speed on a tangential track with irregularity is established to investigate this phenomenon first. Results indicate that the longitudinal vibration frequency of the wheelset is determined mainly by the primary longitudinal stiffness and the mass of wheelset. For a whole locomotive model, longitudinal vibration was concerned with the track alignment irregularity and track vertical profile irregularity. An estimate method of the resonance speed is presented at which a resonance of wheelset longitudinal vibration may be induced. Finally, the paper shows a possibility to extend wheel/rail service life by Suppressing wheelset longitudinal vibration.