Numerical Characterization and Formation Process Study of Rail Bright Bands in High-Speed Turnout Areas

Abstract

To define the numerical characterization of rail bright bands and analyze their formation process in high-speed turnout areas, this study combines experimental and simulation methods. It utilizes fractal dimensions to distinguish between rail bright band zones and non-bright band zones and employs wear tests to categorize the stages of bright band formation. A simulation analysis method for rail bright bands in high-speed railway turnouts is proposed. Using the No. 18 turnout switch area as an example, the formation process and evolution patterns of rail bright bands in high-speed turnout areas are studied through simulations. The results indicate that:1) The standard fractal dimension values for rails with and without bright bands in high-speed railways are 2.09 and 2.24, respectively.2) When material loss exceeds 0.09 mm, a bright band forms on the rail surface, at which point the fractal dimension of the rail surface is 2.09.3) The formation of bright bands can be divided into four stages: rapid wear, bright band formation, bright band evolution, and bright band stabilization.

Keywords: Rail bright bands, Surface Roughness Analysis, High-Speed Turnout, Material Loss, Wheel Rail Dynamic Performance, Wear Analysis