Modelling of the plastification near the rough surface of a rail by the wheel–rail contact

Rail surfaces exhibit a certain surface roughness from production to millions of overrollings. This surface roughness cannot be neglected when the mechanisms of sliding–rolling wear are investigated. A two dimensional finite element study is carried out to investigate a small part (micro-region) of a wheel pressed onto a rail. The wheel is assumed to be smooth or is given a certain surface roughness, and the rail is given a measured surface roughness. The wheel is loaded according to the average value of the contact pressure and its time history over the area which is found in a three-dimensional finite element analysis of a wheel–rail contact. The present study will aid understanding the wear mechanisms acting during wheel–rail contact.