Dynamics analysis for wheel polygon wear of resilient wheels - a theoretical model of wheel-rail coupling system

The interaction between wheels and rails in metro systems significantly contributes to the wheel polygon wear. Additionally, the fluctuations in wheel-rail forces resulting from vehicle-track interactions have a substantial effect on the wheel-rail coupling system. This study establishes a theoretical model of the rigid and resilient wheel-rail coupling system and conducts a theoretical analysis to evaluate the impact of wheel-rail coupling on wheel polygon wear and the progression of polygon wear. It further compares the effects of wheel-rail coupling on polygon formation in both rigid and resilient wheels. The research investigates how the physical parameters of resilient wheels influence the wheel-rail coupling system and its dynamic characteristics. The results indicate that the fluctuations in wheel-rail forces associated with resilient wheels are less pronounced than those observed with rigid wheels. Moreover, the wheel polygon wear and the progression rate of polygon wear for resilient wheels are lower than those for rigid wheels, and the fluctuations in wheel polygon wear for resilient wheels are also diminished.