Plastic deformation of corrugated rails—a numerical approach using material data of rail steel

This paper investigates the influence of plastic deformation as a possible saturation mechanism on corrugation growth. For a track segment of two sleeper bays, plastic deformation and wear are considered in the process of corrugation growth. The dynamic Hertzian contact stress distribution over the rail section is analysed in the frequency domain taking into account the structural dynamics of the system. This stress distribution along the surface is applied on a plane strain finite element model as a moving load. The plastic deformations due to this loading are calculated using the Chaboche material law. Superimposing the plastic deformed surface to the initial measured profile, a mechanism can be observed which results in a corrugation decrease. The common action of wear and plastic deformations should lead to a steady-state situation and a physical as well as geometric shake-down phenomenon is observed for the corrugated system.