Field Investigation and Rapid Deterioration Analysis of Heavy Haul Corrugation

In this study, the rapid growth of corrugation caused by the bad quality of grinding works and their wavelength, depth, and evolution processes are captured through field measurements. The residual grinding marks left by poor grinding quality lead to further crack accumulation and corrugation deterioration by decreasing plastic resistance in rails. In this case, the average peak-to-peak values of corrugation grow extremely fast, reaching 1.4 μm per day. The finite element method (FEM) and fracture mechanics methodologies were used to analyze the development and trends in rail surface crack deterioration by considering rails with and without grinding marks. Crack propagation trends increase with residual grinding marks, and they are more severe in circular curve lines. To avoid the rapid deterioration of rail corrugation, intersections between grinding marks and fatigue cracks should be avoided.