An Exact Linear Tangential Contact Theory for Railway Rolling Noise Modelling in Curves

The modelling of railway rolling noise requires that wheel/rail interaction is considered in a frequency range up to some kilohertz and therefore involves the consideration of non-steady effects. In this context, the effect of non-Hertzian contact conditions and non-zero mean value of creepages have been seldom investigated. To consider these effects, an exact non-Hertzian non-steady state linear tangential contact theory has been implemented in the frequency domain and applied to the study of a metro vehicle negotiating a short-radius curve. The results of the implemented model are presented in the form of a comparative analysis in terms of the wheel/rail contact force, relative velocity, and the equivalent power radiation of the wheel to other existing contact theories including Groß-Thebing’s non-steady state theory, and a steady-state method based on Kalker’s Linear Theory with zero mean creepages. The comparison highlights differences between the models (either in the low or high-frequency range) which suggests that this exact non-Hertzian non-steady state linear theory is a promising tool for this study since it overcomes some of the limitations of the other models.