Modeling and Formulation for Flexible Rail/Wheel Systems

Abstract

The system under consideration in this report is composed of a wheel and a flexible rail fixed at the both ends. Modeling and formulation for such a system are discussed, considering about the following assumptions; The motion of the wheel is constrained in x-y plane. Slip of a wheel is ignored. On the other hand, the rotation of the wheel, the linear contact stiffness between the wheel and the rail, and the large rotation and deformation of the rail are considered. The expression of contact constraints is proposed, using that the distance between the contact points and the gravity center of the wheel is function of the time. The calculation results agreed with experimental ones approximately.