AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF LOW-NOISE WHEELS IN REDUCING NOISE AND VIBRATION

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2002

Subject Area

infrastructure - track, mode - rail, mode - subway/metro

Keywords

Wheels, Wheel rims, Wheel rail interaction, Wave damping, Wave attenuation, Vibration damping, Vibration control, Types of track, Tire pavement interface, Subway cars, Stiffness, Speed, Rubber, Rolling contact, Rigidity, Rapid transit cars, Noise control, Noise abatement, High speed trains, High speed rail, Friction damping, Experiments, Experimentation, Electric railroads, Design of experiments, Damping (Physics)

Abstract

This paper investigates the development of a low-noise wheel structure for rail cars in an electric multiple unit system, and the new structure's effect on reducing the noise from wheel/rail interaction. The low-noise wheel employs a rubber material inserted into the steel rim or mounted on the wheel surface. The low-noise wheel has low stiffness and a high damping ratio compared to a solid wheel, and measurements show that it reduces rolling and squealing noises. The degree of the effect depends on train speed, running track profile and car type. A subway line with the proposed wheel could reduce its interior noise level by 4-5 dB(A) and vehicle vibration level by 7-8 dB. Although the low-noise wheel appears effective in reducing noise, future studies are needed to address the wear of the wheel and rail, maintenance and cost-effectiveness.

Comments

Transportation Research Part D Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

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