FORECASTING THE WORK RESOURCE OF THE RAILS IN DIFFERENT CONDITIONS OF OPERATION OF THE RAILWAY TRACK
Authors: RADKEVYCH A. , ARBUZOV M. , ARBUZOVA E. 
Published: January 2023

In different operating conditions of the railway track, the service life of the rails is different. This indicates that there are external factors that have a significant impact on the process of rail wear. In the work, the analysis of influential factors was carried out and their degree of influence was determined in comparison with each other and in the statistical population.

To study this problem, the most difficult section of the Slavsko-Lavochne-Beskid-Volovets track on the regional branch of Lviv Railway was chosen. The collection and processing of statistical data was carried out, measurements of the rail track and measurements of rail wear were carried out.

The process of lateral wear of the rail depends on various factors, among which it is possible to single out those that are the same for the entire curve, and those that are different for different intersections of the curve. For the entire curve, the tonnage passed, the radius, the set speed, the rise of the outer rail, the longitudinal slope, the type of rails and the binding are the same. These parameters can be called global for the curve, and the wear that depends on them is global. Along the curve, there are local irregularities, that is, deviations in the plan, profile, pattern and inclination of the rail in the middle of the track. These parameters can be called local for the curve, and the wear that depends on them is local. Local wear is additional. The total side wear can be manifested to a greater or lesser extent depending on external conditions: lubrication, sanding of rails, excessive impact of wheels, which is taken into account by the coefficient of external conditions.

The results of track measurements show that when a horizontal unevenness appears on a curved section, the bending radius increases, and in such places, there is an increase in lateral wear. When the width of the track in the curves exceeds the established norms, there is also an increase in the amount of wear. Over-inflating causes the wheelset to slide to the inner rail. At the same time, the larger rolling circle is not on the outer wheel, but on the inner one. The vertical force transmitted from the wheel to the rail is also greater along the inner thread. This leads to slipping of the wheel on the outer thread, which increases the lateral wear of the rail. As the measurements showed, when the slope of the rail increases from 1:20 to 1:10, the amount of lateral wear increases. The use of lubricators that lubricate the side surface of the rail head can increase its service life by 3 times. An increase in the surface roughness of the rail by 20 μm leads to a decrease in wear resistance by 20-25%. Based on the received empirical data, a mathematical model of lateral wear of the rail head based on 16 parameters was created.

Based on the norms of permissible wear of the rails and the created mathematical model, the service life of the rails is determined in the work depending on the curvature of the track. Forecasting the resource of rails allows to implement resource-saving in railway transport.