Simulation of wheel and rail profile wear: a review of numerical models

Abstract The development of numerical models able to compute the wheel and rail profile wear is essential improve scheduling maintenance operations required restore original shapes. This work surveys main in literature for evaluation uniform profiles. standard structure these tools includes a multibody simulation wheel–track coupled dynamics module implementing an experimental law. Therefore, are classified according strategy adopted worn update, ranging from performing single computation based on online communication between dynamic modules. Nevertheless, most common nowadays relies iteration simulations which profiles left unchanged, with co-simulation techniques often increase computational performances. Work still needed accuracy current models. New campaigns should be carried out obtain refined coefficients models, while strategies both longitudinal transversal wear, also considering effects tread braking, implemented accurate damage