Overview

Wheel diameter differences (WDD) on railway vehicles impact the dynamic behaviour, the traction system performance and rail damage. It is well known that the various types of algorithms that govern locomotive adhesion control systems may compensate for the presence of WDD. However, detailed studies on the influence of adhesion control algorithms on rail wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF), under the presence of WDD, have not been published.

Furthermore, several standards establish WDD limits for wheelsets, bogies and vehicles which, in turn, determine the planning of wheelset maintenance activities. There is no information in the public domain on how such limits were set and their impact on the dynamic processes at the wheel-rail interface. Thus, a numerical program comprising thousands of multibody dynamics simulations should be conducted to study the influence of WDD on vehicle performance, considering several combinations of operational parameters, in-train forces and the responses of a locomotive traction mechatronics system. The practical methodology including the example of results from such a numerical program and the analysis of the impact of WDD on rail damage and vehicle performance will be presented. The pathway for the development of digital twins for such tasks will be also presented and discussed.

Learning outcomes

• Development and use of digital twins for railway applications.
• Wheel diameter difference standards and its influence on rail wear and rolling contact fatigue.
• Modern techniques for using physics-based digital twins and supercomputers for railway applications.

Event program

Online:

• 12.00pm: Webinar commences
• 12.55pm: Webinar concludes

In-person:

• 11.45am: Registration and light refreshments
• 12.00pm: Welcome
• 12.05pm: Speaker presentation
• 12.45pm: Q&A
• 1.00pm: Networking
• 1.30pm: Event concludes
• Ticket inclusions: Light refreshments, soft drinks

About the speaker

Esteban Bernal, Senior Research Officer, Centre for Railway Engineering, CQUniversity

Esteban Bernal is a Senior Research Officer at the Centre for railway Engineering, Central Queensland University, Australia. During his doctoral dissertation he studied innovative on‐board condition monitoring technologies for railway vehicles. Additionally, he has participated in research and consultancy projects involving vehicle dynamics simulations, traction and wheel–rail wear and damage studies.

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