Considering the interaction of switch and stock rails in modelling vehicle-track interaction in a switch panel diverging route

Vehicle-track interaction in a switch panel diverging route is studied with a focus on the way its components may interact in the lateral direction. Taking one of the cases of S&C benchmark as the base model, several variants of the co-running track model are considered. In the first series of simulation, the effect of the lateral separation of the switch rail and stock rail is investigated, showing that only small differences are found in terms of wheel/rail forces between a track model where both rails are coupled, and one where they are free to move with respect to one another. Only transient effects are visible at the beginning and at the end of the two-point contact on both rails. While small, these differences can have some influence in terms of rolling contact fatigue and wear prediction. In the second series of simulation, co-running track models are developed including the baseplate and taking into account such effects as switch rail/stock rail contact at the undercut plane and dry friction. Significant changes are observed in the load distribution within the switch panel. Conclusions should be consolidated through experimental field measurement and using more realistic track models, e.g. discretely supported rail beam models.