The Mechanism of Rail Corrugation Generation and Development – Variation of Difference between Wheel and Rail Receptances

Through the study of variation on rail dynamics of a discrete support track and the relationship between the wheel and rail receptances, it was found that the difference of wheel and rail receptance and its variation is one of main factors of rail corrugation generation and development. Theoretical prediction and site measurement of the receptance have demonstrated a good agreement. Based on the mechanism of rail corrugation generation discussed in this paper, it is concluded that the key means to slow down the corrugation growth is to reduce the difference of rail receptance and control the rail vibration. Test on a normal slab track with lower stiffness fastenings and tuned vibration dampers has shown that the rail corrugation and rail vibration levels measured on the rails in both vertical and lateral directions are all lower compared to the track with standard rail fastenings.