Research on track vibration characteristics and rail corrugation based on fastener failure

Based on the measured rail corrugation data on the curve, a rigid-flexible coupling vehicle-track system dynamic model is established. The stiffness and damping of the fasteners were changed to simulate the failure behavior of the track structure, and the influence of fastener failure on the vibration characteristics of the system was studied to determine the causes of rail corrugation. The research results show that: (1) The number of peaks on wheel-rail vibration significantly increases after fastener failure, which increases the probability of wheel-rail resonance. The fastener failure causes more frequent wheel-rail resonance, leading to severe system vibration and increased wheel-rail wear. (2) The simulated wavelength of 57 mm on the slight radius curve with the highest proportion of corrugation is similar to the measured wavelength of 55 mm. The fastener failure is related to the generation of rail corrugation, which verifies the existence of rail corrugation on site. (3) The smaller the curve radius, the greater the lateral and longitudinal creep forces and wear number, indicating that the degree of rail corrugation on slight radius curve is more severe. When the slight radius curve and fastener failure are satisfied together, the lateral and longitudinal creep forces and wear number reach their maximum values, which further accelerates the generation of rail corrugation.