Experimental analysis of the mechanism of high-order polygonal wear of wheels of a high-speed train

This paper presents a detailed investigation, via field experiment, into the mechanism of high-order polygonal wear of wheels of a new type of high-speed train. The investigation was carried out during the performance acceptance test of the train and its initial commercial operation. The investigation covered the performance acceptance test of 150 000 km and the commercial operation of about 150 000 km. In the performance acceptance test of the first stage of about 70 000 km, at 200–250 km/h with full loading and sometimes overloading by 30%, the serious polygonal wear of 23-order took place on all the wheels of the train, and was measured and analyzed in detail. All the polygonized wheels were re-profiled because the polygonal wear had caused strong vibration and damage to the train parts. After re-profiling, the vibration of the train and track and the wear status of the wheels were measured and analyzed at different test mileages according to the polygonal wear situation of the wheels. The measured vibration of the train includes the accelerations at different positions of a motor car and a trail car. The vibration modes of the key parts of the bogies of the two cars were calculated. Meanwhile, the track resonant frequencies were investigated at the site. The purpose of the above tests and analysis is try to find the frequency of work mode matching the passing frequency of the high-order wheel polygon. The present investigation shows that one of the working models causes the formation and development of the high-order wheel polygonal wear. The growth of this wear was effectively reduced through the frequent changing of the running speed of the train operating on the way back and forth every day.