Parameters studies for rail wear in high-speed railway turnouts by unreplicated saturated factorial design

Rail wear is one of the main reasons for reducing the service life of high-speed railway turnouts in China. The rail wear characteristics of high-speed railway turnouts are influenced by a large number of input parameters of the complex train-turnout system. To reproduce the actual operation conditions of railway turnouts, random distributions of these inputs need to be considered in rail wear simulation. For a given nominal layout of the high-speed railway turnout, 19 input parameters for rail wear simulation in high-speed railway turnouts are investigated based on orthogonal design of experiment. Three dynamic responses(wheel-rail friction work, normal contact force and size of contact patch) are defined as observed values and the significant factors(direction of passage, axle load, running speed, friction coefficient, and wheel and rail profiles) are determined by two unreplicated saturated factorial design methods, including the half-normal probability plot method and Dong 93 method. As part of the associated rail wear simulation, the influence of the wear models and the local elastic deformation on the rail wear was separately investigated. The calculation results for the wear models are quite different, especially for large creep mode. The local elastic deformation has a large effect on the sliding speed and rail wear and needs to be considered in the rail wear simulation.

Dynamic Analysis of the Configuration of Lead Curves of Turnouts

A space coupling vibration model of the system of wheel and lead curve rails of turnouts is presented, in which the vibration of the straight and curved rails are taken into account and the variations of the elasticity of roadbed with the length of switch ties are considered. It is used to investigate the dynamic characteristics of different configuration of lead curve, such as circular curve, cubic spiral and high order transition curves. Based on the numerical analysis, some advantageous configurations of lead curve are suggested.

Influence of span-to-depth ratio on dynamic response of vehicle-turnoutbridge system in high-speed railway

For high-speed railways,the smoothness of the railway line significantly affects the operational speed of trains.When the train passes through the turnout on a long-span bridge,the wheel-rail impacts caused by the turnout structure irregularities,and the instability arising from the bridge's flexural deformation lead to a strong coupling effect in the vehicle-turnout-bridge system.This significantly affects both ride comfort and operational safety.For addressing this issue,the present study considered a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge as an example and established a train-turnout-bridge coupled dynamic model of high-speed railway.Utilizing a selfdeveloped dynamic simulation program,the study analysed the dynamic response characteristics when the train passes through the turnouts on the bridge.It also investigated the influence of different span-to-depth ratios of the bridge on the vehicle dynamic response when the train passes through the main line and branch line of turnouts and then proposed a span-to-depth ratio limit value for a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge.The research findings suggest that the changes in the span-to-depth ratio have a relatively minor impact on the train’s operational performance but significantly affect the dynamic characteristics of the bridge structure.Based on the findings and a comprehensive assessment of safety indicators,it is advisable to establish a span-to-depth ratio limit of 1/4500 for a long-span continuous rigid-frame bridge.

A Convolutional Autoencoder Based Fault Detection Method for Metro Railway Turnout

Railway turnout is one of the critical equipment of Switch&Crossing(S&C)Systems in railway,related to the train’s safety and operation efficiency.With the advancement of intelligent sensors,data-driven fault detection technology for railway turnout has become an important research topic.However,little research in the literature has investigated the capability of data-driven fault detection technology for metro railway turnout.This paper presents a convolutional autoencoder-based fault detection method for the metro railway turnout considering human field inspection scenarios.First,the one-dimensional original time-series signal is converted into a twodimensional image by data pre-processing and 2D representation.Next,a binary classification model based on the convolutional autoencoder is developed to implement fault detection.The profile and structure information can be captured by processing data as images.The performance of our method is evaluated and tested on real-world operational current data in themetro stations.Experimental results show that the proposedmethod achieves better performance,especially in terms of error rate and specificity,and is robust in practical engineering applications.

Study on wear characteristics and authorized limits of switch rails of high-speed turnout

Purpose-It is quite universal for high-speed turnouts to be exposed to the wear of the stock rail of the switch rail during the service process.The wear will cause the change of railhead profile and the relative positions of the switch rail and the stock rail,which will directly affect the wheel-rail contact state and wheel load transition when a train passes the turnout and will further impose serious impacts on the safety and stability of train operation.The purpose of this paper is to provide suggestions for wear management of high-speed turnout.Design/methodology/approach-The actual wear characteristics of switch rails of high-speed turnouts in different guiding directions were studied based on the monitoring results on site;the authorized wear limits for the switch rails of high-speed turnout were studied through derailment risk analysis and switch rail strength analysis.Findings-The results show that:the major factor for the service life of a curved switch rail is the lateral wear.The wear characteristics of the curved switch rail of a facing turnout are significantly different from those of a trailing turnout.To be specific,the lateral wear of the curved switch rail mainly occurs in the narrower section at its front end for a trailing turnout,but in the wider section at its rear end when for a facing turnout.The maximum lateral wear of a dismounted switch rail from a trailing turnout is found on the 15-mm wide section and is 3.9 mm,which does not reach the specified limit of 6 mm.For comparison,the lateral wear of a dismounted switch rail from a facing turnout is found from the 35-mm wide section to the full-width section and is greater than 7.5 mm,which exceeds the specified limit.Based on this,in addition to meeting the requirements of maintenance rules,the allowed wear of switch rails of high-speed turnout shall be so that the dangerous area with a tangent angle of wheel profile smaller than 43.68 will not contact the switch rail when the wheel is lifted by 2 mm.Accordingly,the lateral wear limit at the 5-mm wide section of the curved switch rail shall be reduced from 6 mm(as specified)to 3.5 mm.Originality/value-The work in this paper is of reference significance to the research on the development law of rail wear in high-speed turnout area and the formulation of relevant standards.

Dynamic Analysis of the Turnout Diverging Track for HSR with Variable Curvature Sections

The paper presents an analytical method of identifying the curvature of the turnout diverging track consisting of sections of varying curvature. Both linear and nonlinear (polynomial) curvatures of the turnout diverging track are identified and evaluated in the paper. The presented method is a universal one;it enables to assume curvature values at the beginning and end point of the geometrical layout of the turnout. The results of dynamics analysis show that widely used in railway practice, clothoid sections with nonzero curvatures at the beginning and end points of the turnout lead to increased dynamic interactions in the track-vehicle system. The turnout with nonlinear curvature reaching zero values at the extreme points of the geometrical layout is indicated in the paper as the most favourable, taking into account dynamic interactions occurring in the track-vehicle system.

Experimental investigation on vibration characteristics of the medium-low-speed maglev vehicle-turnout coupled system

The steel turnout is one of the key components in the medium–low-speed maglev line system.However,the vehicle under active control is prone to vehicle–turnout coupled vibration,and thus,it is necessary to identify the vibration characteristics of this coupled system through field tests.To this end,dynamic performance tests were conducted on a vehicle–turnout coupled system in a medium–low-speed maglev test line.Firstly,the dynamic response data of the coupled system under various operating conditions were obtained.Then,the natural vibration characteristics of the turnout were analysed using the free attenuation method and the finite element method,indicating a good agreement between the simulation results and the measured results;the acceleration response characteristics of the coupled system were analysed in detail,and the ride quality of the vehicle was assessed by Sperling index.Finally,the frequency distribution characteristics of the coupled system were discussed.All these test results could provide references for model validation and optimized design of medium–low-speed maglev transport systems.

The effect of track alignment irregularity on wheel-rail contact geometry relationship in a turnout zone

The irregularity is a key factor affecting the wheel-rail contact geometry relationship. In this paper, we calculated the wheel-rail contact points at typical sections and obtained the longitudinal variation of the wheel-rail geometry relationship with the trace line method. The profile of the key rail sections was matched by cubic spline curve, and the shape interpolation was realized in non-controlling sections. The results show that the roll angles at each typical section increases gradually with the enlargement of track alignment irregularity. When the flange contact occurs, the roll angle increases dramatically. Proper track alignment irregularity towards the switch rail improves the structure irregularity of the turnout.

Length optimization of straight line connecting turnout on main line in high-speed railway station yard

Taking the development of high-speed railway in China as background, and referring to the dynamic theory and wheel-rail contact mode, dynamic analysis model was established, considering the setting position of straight lines and running conditions of train in high-speed railway station yard. Using the established model, and choosing vehicle lateral acceleration and wheel suspension as the evaluation indexes, dynamic characteristic of vehicle traveling in turnout and adjacent area on main line was analyzed, and effects on travelling safety and stability of train aroused by length variation of straight lines were calculated based on analyzing the damping rules of vibration. The results show that, a certain length of straight lines can alleviate the vibration aroused in turnout and curve(turnout), length of straight lines connecting turnouts in different sections on main line was proposed to meet the demand of traveling stability, and shortening or cancelation of straight line for the scale limitation of station yard has less influence on operation safety of train.

Metabolic Adaptations Due to the Inclusion of Pasture in the Diet of Dairy Cows Fed Total Mixed Ration during Early Lactation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic adaptations due to the inclusion of pasture in the diet of dairy cows fed on a total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum during early lactation. Multiparous cows (n=18) were used in a randomized complete block design and were randomly assigned according to parity, BW and BCS to one of two feeding strategies from calving to 60 DIM: 1) cows fed TMR ad libitum (without access to pasture;100% TMR) and 2) cows fed on a mixed system with pasture grazing (6 h of access to paddock in one grazing session, 8:00 to 14:00 h) and supplemented with 50% of ad libitum TMR (Pasture Group, PG). At 61DIM, TMR fed cows were assigned without an adjustment period to a similar feeding and management routine than PG group (Post-TMR), while PG cows remained in their original routine throughout the experiment. Thus, at 61DIM and thereafter, both, PG and Post-TMR cows grazed a second-year pasture and were supplemented with 50% TMR (DM basis). Milk production was determined daily until 80 DIM, and cow BCS and BW were registered and blood samples and liver biopsies were obtained one week before and one week after dietary change (-1 to +1 wk;+55 and +69 DIM). Milk yield, BW and BCS did not differ between treatments but decreased or tended to decreased from -1 to +1 wk only in Post-TMR cows. Serum IGF-1 tended to increase in Post-TMR cows. Hepatic expression of IGFBP5 and IGFBP6 mRNA, were greater while IGF1 and IGFBP3 mRNA tended to be greater for Post-TMR than PG cows. Hepatic expression of IGF1, IGFBP5 and IGFBP6 mRNA increased from -1 to +1 wk only in Post-TMR cows. Expression of ACADVL and PDH1A mRNA had a 2-fold increase in both groups from wks -1 to +1. The results confirm that changes in feeding strategy without an adaptation period modified animal metabolism. The inclusion of grazing to cows that were fed TMR during early lactation, increased IGF-1 concentrations and modified hepatic expression of genes related with IGF system and fatty acid metabolism indicating redistribution of nutrients and energy towards maintenance requirements (increased due to walking and grazing activity) in detriment of milk production.

Influence of Track Parameters on Welded Turnout Group

By building the finite element model, the track parameters, including the ultimate longitudinal resistance, the length of the intermediate straight line, and the gap between spacer blocks, were analyzed for their influences on the longitudinal forces and displacements of the single turnout and turnout group, respectively. The results indicate that when the longitudinal resistance drops from 32 to 20 N/cm, the maximum additional longitudinal force of the turnout group increases by 19. 2%, and the maximum additional longitudinal displacement of the turnout group grows by 85.3% compared with 50.4% for the single turnout. When the length of intermediate straight line rises from 0 m to infinite, the maximum additional longitudinal force decreases by 38.8%, and the maximum additional longitudinal displacement by 80.3%.

Occasional Forces and Displacements of Longitudinally Coupled Ballastless Jointless Turnout on Bridges

For the longitudinally coupled baUastless turnout on Leida bridge on Wuhan-Guangzhou passenger dedicated line （PDL） in China, a turnout （cross over）-track slab-bridge deck-pier integrated finite element model was established, in which two No. 18 jointless turnouts with movable frogs in form of crossover, longitudinally coupled ballastless track, bridges and piers were regarded as one system. Based on this model, the additional forces and displacement regularities of turnouts, track slab, bridges and piers under occasional loading were analyzed, and the effect of occasional loading position was researched. The results show that slab breaking is more influential on the longitudinal force and deformation of the whole system than rail breaking, that slab breaking on one line could deteriorate both the slab force on another line and the forces exerted on the piers and fastener components, and that a great slab force at the left end of the continuous bridge expansion joint should be particularly avoided in design.

Computational Modeling of Government Policy to Attain Long-Term Higher Voter Turnout for Sustainable Democracy

People power is the fundamental concept of democracy and power of the people is exercised though voting. People decide who should be elected to make decisions for them. However, if people do not properly participate in the voting process and only two-thirds of all eligible voters participate in an election, the democratic institution loses its credibility and becomes vulnerable. This paper investigates various changes in voting institutions throughout the USAwith a simulation model that analyzes the efficacy of such methods to attain higher voter turnout.

Fiber optic displacement sensor used in railway turnout contact monitoring system

Railway turnout contact monitoring is very important in high-speed rail operation systems. In order to measure the distance between the sharp rail and the basic rail in a switch system, a wide-range, high-precision fiber Bragg grating(FBG) displacement sensor was designed. Because the distance between the sharp and basic rails is always greater than 14 cm, the measurement range width and accuracy of the proposed sensor system are ensured through the use of a long spring and a beam of constant strength. A differential compensation method is used to eliminate temperature effects. Test results show that the resolution of the proposed sensor is 0.040 mm and the measuring range is 0—170 mm. A field test was also carried out to evaluate the performance of the sensors.