Symmetric/asymmetric bifurcation behaviours of a bogie system

Based on the bifurcation and stability theory of dynamical systems, the symmetric/asymmetric bifurcation behaviours and chaotic motions of a railway bogie system under a complex nonlinear wheel–rail contact relation are investigated in detail by the ‘resultant bifurcation diagram’ method with slowly increasing and decreasing speed. It is found that the stationary equilibrium solution and the periodic motions coexist due to the sub-critical Hopf bifurcation in the railway bogie system. It is also found that multiple solutions coexist in many speed ranges. The coexistence of multiple solutions may result in a jump and hysteresis of the oscillating amplitude for different kinds of disturbances. It should be avoided in the normal operation. Furthermore, it is found that symmetry-breaking of the system through a pitchfork bifurcation leads to asymmetric chaotic motions in the railway bogie system. The speed ranges of asymmetric chaotic motions are, however, small.