ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: In this paper, a ball is investigated being in dual-point contact with a rectangular trough. This model is structurally similar to that of a railway wheelset. We assume that the mass distribution of the ball has a rotational symmetry about one axis only, that is, rolling of the ball generates gyroscopic effect which can lead to slipping of the ball. Instead of using creep models, we assume Coulomb friction at the contact points. A nonsmooth dynamical system is derived containing both the rolling and slipping behaviour. Stability loss of rolling is investigated with respect to slipping by analysing of the direction of the vector field corresponding to the slipping motion. From the calculations, amplitude-dependent analytical formula for the critical velocity of the ball is obtained.
