Rail Wear Evolution on Small-Radius Curves under Mixed Traffic Conditions, In-Field Investigations

Abstract

This paper’s aim is to assess the rail wear evolution of railway tracks under mixed traffic conditions for sharp curves. Field investigations were conducted over a period of five years, at 800 points on a rail track, for two curves that underwent maintenance interventions: sleeper and rail replacements during measurements. Lateral and vertical wear measurements were monitored with mechanical instruments, and Prokon and Sap simulations were performed in order to determine the bearing capacity of the rail at different stages of wear. The results obtained after five years of investigation show wear speed propagation on the outer rail of small-radius curves as well as the bending moments and admissible stress variation. At more than 18% of the studied points, lateral wear exceeded the maximum admissible limit, showing a faster propagation speed on the outer rail compared to the vertical wear rate.