Simulation of the contact pair “wheel-rail” of the experimental design of the flexible rail in the lightweight tracks of the uST string transport system

Abstract

Rationale: Development of string rails with low weight per meter and high-performance characteristics that determine durability, wear resistance, reliable grip of vehicle wheels to the rail rolling surface is a vital task. Objective: to investigate impact of the geometric parameters of the steel wheel and the flexible string rail with a polymer coating on the performance characteristics; to choose the most optimal parameters of the contact pair wheel-rail. Methods: The calculation was made using the ANSYS finite element analysis software package. Results: in order to reduce the level of contact pressures, it is more expedient to lower the load on the wheel or increase the width of the contact, rather than to increase the radius of the wheel; the most optimal is the contact pair, where the modulus of elasticity of the polymer rail head is equal to the modulus of elasticity of the wheel material, that is, materials similar in elasticity are used in the contact pair.