Influence of Rail Surface Geometry on Wear and Service Life of Crossing Rails

Abstract

Malfunctioning components on railroads can lead to the decrease of efficiencies. Switch frog is costly, but has a short service life. However, for safety reasons, regular inspection is necessary. Determining the service life helps to plan maintenance, as well as renewal of the switch frog, in an easy and timely manner. This study aims to determine the geometry model and the influence of it’s relevant parameters, for predicting the service life of switch frogs, based on the measured data of 13 switch frogs. The data were provided by DB Systemtechnik GmbH, Germany. Using the relationship between contact pressure and vertical wear area the model will be performed. In this study, the geometry of the wing rail is also considered, because it affects the change in the geometry of the frog tip. The deviation between the measurement data and the model could be minimized by calibrating the model results with the measured data in order to achieve higher accuracy. As an outcome, the service life of switch frogs will be determined, and the optimal initial geometry identified. In future studies, the model needs to be modified, to predict the remaining service life, for the case of any non-initial geometry.