Fast non-Hertzian wheel-rail thermal contact models integrated with tread brake in train dynamic simulations

This paper presents an integrated simulation of wheel-rail thermal interactions under tread braking, using fast finite difference models and non-Hertzian contact. ANALYN is used to improve contact patch accuracy and rail chill effect prediction. A 2D rail model (vertical and longitudinal) captures progressive rail heating along the train. The 1D radial wheel-block model is validated against the 2D axisymmetric model, demonstrating both reliability and computational efficiency, which enables seamless integration into Longitudinal Train Dynamics software. This integrated simulation approach yields more accurate temperature jump estimations at the wheel-rail contact, essential for analysing thermal fatigue, wear, and optimizing railway maintenance strategies.