The dynamic effects, mainly including the inertia effect and strain-rate effect, on the dynamic wheel–rail contact behavior become more and more serious as the train speed increases. The inertia effect can be automatically taken into account in explicit finite element analysis codes, while the strain-rate effect needs to be considered via inputting the related material parameters. In the present paper, the influence of strain rate on the dynamic wheel–rail contact response for the straight track case was explored, based on a 3D wheel–rail rolling contact finite element model, via LS-DYNA/explicit algorithm. Effects of the axle load and train speed on typical dynamic wheel–rail responses were discussed, and the results indicate that the coupled train speed with strain rate has a non-negligible influence on dynamic contact responses. The strain rate hardening effect increases the maximum contact pressure and stress, and inhibits the plastic deformation of the wheel–rail system. A rate-sensitive factor (RSF) was then introduced to describe the strain rate hardening effect, confirming that the rail is more sensitive to strain rate compared to the wheel. Finally, an error analysis of the wheel–rail Hertz contact theory was conducted, which further verify the differences between elastic and elastic-plastic contact solutions.
The wheel–rail interaction will be intensified on account of the complexity of the wheel–rail contact geometry on a curved track. It also may become more complicated and/or have significant difference as the train speed increases, since the dynamic effects cannot be ignored then. In this study, based on explicit Finite Element (FE) software LS-DYNA 971, a Three-Dimensional (3D) elastic-plastic FE model was built to simulate the dynamic wheel–rail contact behaviour of curve negotiating, where the superelevation and roll angle as well as the strain rate effect were considered. The evolution of contact patch and pressure, wheel–rail contact force, the stress/strain state and the acceleration of the axle were employed to examine the wheel–rail transient dynamic response. Furthermore, the influences of axle load, curve radius and strain rate effect were also discussed. It is found that the maximum vertical contact force, contact pressure, stress and strain on the curved track increase with the decreasing curve radius, and they increase with the increasing axle load except for lateral contact force. The wheel–rail dynamic responses on the curved track are significantly enhanced compared to the straight track. Moreover, the strain rate effect can enhance von-Mises stress and contact pressure, suppress the plastic deformation of the rail and wheel, but it has little effect on the vertical and lateral contact forces and stable acceleration of axle. The Rate-Sensitive Factors (RSF) of the wheel and rail on the curved track are weaker than those on the straight track. These findings will be very helpful to study the competitive relationship between the rolling contact fatigue and wear, as well as the crack initiation and propagation problem.
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