A linear wheel–rail model to investigate stability and corrugation on straight track

The aim of this paper is to assist in understanding the formation of short-pitch corrugation on railway rails. Based on a previous work, a linear mathematical model for the description of the wheel–track dynamics during one wheel passage has been set up. To ensure linearity it is proved that the model remains stable. For the long-term corrugation process a feedback between wheel–track dynamics and a damage mechanism is assumed. Numerical simulations have been undertaken with this model to analyze the corrugation process. Based on numerical results it has been attempted to explain why the corrugation pitch observed in practice varies little with train speed and it is shown how wheel–track parameters influence the proneness to corrugation.