Friction measurement and creep force modelling methodology for locomotive track damage studies

To understand the effect of locomotive dynamic behaviour on track damage, a great number of train operational parameters should be considered in the analysis. Two of the critical parameters are based on the introduction of friction-creep curves and in-train forces in the locomotive models. Due to the high costs of locomotive field-testing programs, this paper proposes a methodology that focuses on the introduction of friction measurements, performed with an experimental tribometer, and estimates in-train forces from locomotive/track multibody simulations. Two implementation cases, dry and lubricated friction conditions, are presented in this paper. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.