Experimental validation of a fast wheel wear prediction model

Abstract Wheel-rail wear prediction is a fundamental matter in order to study problems such as wheel lifespan prediction and evolution of vehicle dynamic characteristics with time. However, one of the principal drawbacks of the existing methodologies for calculating the wear evolution is the computational cost. The developed methodology is based on (1) representing the whole route in a reduced number of characteristic points and (2) substituting dynamic simulations by quasi-static ones, in order to reduce computational cost significantly. This paper presents its integration into the complete simulation process for predicting wheel wear evolution and its validation by comparing simulated results with in-service wheel profile measurements. The generality of the method has been verified by applying it to two different operational cases with very different track characteristics. For the validation, the evolution of the worn depth in the tread has been compared according to the travelled distance, as well as the morphology of the worn depth (worn area). Promising results have been obtained in the prediction of wheel wear evolution: in both cases, the simulated curve approaches the measurement curve satisfactorily. Therefore, it can be concluded the validation of the developed method adequately.