Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of the wheel-rail angle of attack

Abstract

Angle of attack is important wheel-rail contact parameter and serves for estimation of the rolling stock curving performance. Together with wheel-rail contact forces, angle of attack influences the wear index. This paper presents experimental on-track measurements of the angle of attack using specially designed laser device installed on track. Experiments were performed on three type of rail vehicles: shunting locomotive series 631-301, motor unit 412-077 and trailing unit 416-077 of the electromotor train 412/416. Experimental measurements were compared with multibody system (MBS) simulations using specialized computer package VAMPIRE Pro. We found good agreement between the results obtained experimentally and by simulations.