The development of detailed track modelling for simulation of rail wear due to high adhesion traction

As an important part of current ongoing research, a locomotive-track dynamic interaction model will be generated to focus on the understanding of wear and RCF damage processes due to the use of high adhesion traction locomotives and some potential treatment approaches to mitigate any adverse effects. The detailed track modelling will be developed using an MBS approach to promote the accuracy of simulations and precisely predict the locomotive dynamic behaviour and the locomotive adhesion conditions. In the track modelling, the dynamics of both rails and sleepers will be modelled using three-dimensional (3D) Timoshenko beam theory, with fastening systems and pads considered as viscoelastic damping and stiffness elements connecting the rails to the sleepers. A ballast-subgrade pyramid model will be implemented with ballast and subgrade damping and stiffness elements supporting the sleepers and ballast masses respectively. Some comparisons of the simulations with published literature are conducted to prove the track modelling effectiveness.