A dynamic model for the vertical interaction of the rail track and wagon system

With the advent of high-speed trains, there is a renewed interest in the rail track–vehicle interaction studies. As part of an ongoing investigation of the track system optimisation and fatigue of the track components, a dynamic model is developed to examine the vertical interaction of the rail track and the wagon system. Wagon with four wheelsets representing two bogies is modelled as a 10 degree of freedom subsystem, the track is modelled as a four-layer subsystem and the two subsystems are coupled together via the non-linear Hertz contact mechanism. The current model is validated using several field test data and other numerical models reported in the literature by other researchers.