ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The procedure for analyzing turnout crossing performance is developed in this paper. The experimental and numerical analysis are both conducted to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the crossing and to further improve the crossing performance. Geometry and acceleration measurements are performed on common single turnouts in the Dutch railway network for analyzing the measured crossing performance and providing the input for numerical modeling. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional finite element model of a whole wheelset rolling over the crossing has been developed. The wing rail and crossing nose geometry as well as the wheel geometry have been used in the model. The numerical responses of the model comprise the dynamic contact forces between the wheelset and the crossing, displacements of the wheelset and crossing as well as the local contact stress and strain distributions, by which the crossing performance is evaluated and the fatigue life of the crossing is predicted. By this approach further improvement of the crossing nose and wing rail geometry can be realized.
