Analysis of Wheel/Rail Contact Geometry on Railroad Turnout Using Longitudinal Interpolation of Rail Profiles

In this investigation, a numerical procedure that can be used for the analysis of wheel/rail two-point contact geometries in turnout sections is developed. In turnout section, the tongue rail changes its shape along the track. Cross-sectional shapes of the tongue rail, therefore, need to be generated by interpolations along the track and these profiles are used to determine the location of contact points for the given location of wheelset. Several numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the procedure developed in this investigation and the effect of wheel profiles on contact geometry in turnout section is discussed.