ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: It is widely recognized that the numerical simulation of vertical vehicle-track dynamic interactions is very useful for the comprehension and prediction of track damage phenomena such as ballast deterioration and rail corrugation. In such simulations, the dynamic normal contact forces between the wheels and rails can be calculated according to the nonlinear or linearized Hertzian contact theory. In this paper, an efficient numerical simulation method for using a nonlinear Hertzian contact spring is described and compared with the case of a linearized Hertzian contact spring.
