Prediction of rail profile evolution on metro curved tracks: wear model and validation

Rail side wear is typically encountered in metro lines (particularly on sharp curves). A reliable rail wear prediction model to evaluate the evolution of the rail profile should be developed. In this study, a rail wear prediction model for a metro line is established. The vehicle system dynamics model is implemented in the SIMPACK software, which considers the actual operating conditions of the metro line. The results show that using the original Tγ/A wear rate function to calculate rail wear may yield some deviations, which necessitates a modification of the wear model based on the measured results of rail wear. Because the hardness of high and low rails on curved tracks changes after work hardening, different correction coefficients must be adopted for the wear rate function of each rail. The rail wear evolution and worn profiles are consistent with the field measurement results when using a modified wear function.