Minimising wheel wear by optimising the primary suspension stiffness and centre plate friction of self-steering bogies

• Published in: Vehicle system dynamics Vol. 46; no. sup1; pp. 457 - 468
• Main Authors: Fergusson, S. N., Fröhling, R. D., Klopper, H.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Taylor & Francis 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Applied sciences; bogie dynamics; curving performance; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; railway; Railway transportation and traffic; Springs and dampers; wheel wear; Bogie; Vehicle stability; wheel wear; Curve; Rail vehicle; Vehicle dynamics; Optimization; Plate; bogie dynamics; Friction; Wear rate; Tool wear; curving performance; Friction coefficient; railway
• ISBN: 9780415486026; 0415486025
• ISSN: 0042-3114; 1744-5159
• DOI: 10.1080/00423110801993094

This paper presents an analysis of wheel wear as a function of the relationship between the lateral and longitudinal primary suspension stiffness and the coefficient of friction at the centre plate between the wagon body and the bolster. The objective is to further minimise the wheel wear rate of a self-steering three-piece bogie without compromising vehicle stability. Simulation results indicate that wheel wear is theoretically the lowest for low lateral and longitudinal primary suspension stiffness and no friction at the centre plate. As zero friction at the centre plate is impractical, a low coefficient of friction and a low primary suspension stiffness were chosen as the optimum.