WHEELSET MECHANICS DURING WHEELCLIMB DERAILMENT

An analysis of the mechanics and dynamics of a railroad vehicle wheelset during flange contact and wheelclimb derailment is presented. The theoretical model includes wheelset lateral, vertical, roll, yaw, and axle rotation degrees of freedom, plus lateral displacement of the truck frame. The equations of motion are based on the kinematics and dynamics of the wheelset subject to constraints imposed by wheel/rail contact geometry.