
CLC number:
On-line Access: 2025-10-25
Received: 2024-05-06
Revision Accepted: 2024-06-27
Crosschecked: 2025-10-27
Cited: 0
Clicked: 2461
Citations: Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714
Binjie XU, Zhiyong SHI, Yun YANG, Jianxi WANG, Kaiyun WANG. Rail profile optimization through balancing of wear and fatigue[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2025, 26(10): 967-982.
@article{title="Rail profile optimization through balancing of wear and fatigue",
author="Binjie XU, Zhiyong SHI, Yun YANG, Jianxi WANG, Kaiyun WANG",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science A",
volume="26",
number="10",
pages="967-982",
year="2025",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.A2400235"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Rail profile optimization through balancing of wear and fatigue
%A Binjie XU
%A Zhiyong SHI
%A Yun YANG
%A Jianxi WANG
%A Kaiyun WANG
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
%V 26
%N 10
%P 967-982
%@ 1673-565X
%D 2025
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.A2400235
TY - JOUR
T1 - Rail profile optimization through balancing of wear and fatigue
A1 - Binjie XU
A1 - Zhiyong SHI
A1 - Yun YANG
A1 - Jianxi WANG
A1 - Kaiyun WANG
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science A
VL - 26
IS - 10
SP - 967
EP - 982
%@ 1673-565X
Y1 - 2025
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.A2400235
Abstract: rail profile optimization is a critical strategy for mitigating wear and extending service life. However, damage at the wheel-rail contact surface goes beyond simple rail wear, as it also involves fatigue phenomena. Focusing solely on wear and not addressing fatigue in profile optimization can lead to the propagation of rail cracks, the peeling of material off the rail, and even rail fractures. Therefore, we propose an optimization approach that balances rail wear and fatigue for heavy-haul railway rails to mitigate rail fatigue damage. Initially, we performed a field investigation to acquire essential data and understand the characteristics of track damage. Based on theory and measured data, a simulation model for wear and fatigue was then established. Subsequently, the control points of the rail profile according to cubic non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) theory were set as the research variables. The rail’s wear rate and fatigue crack propagation rate were adopted as the objective functions. A multi-objective, multi-variable, and multi-constraint nonlinear optimization model was then constructed, specifically using a levenberg Marquardt-back propagation neural network as optimized by the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO-LM-BP neural network). Ultimately, optimal solutions from the model were identified using a chaos microvariation adaptive genetic algorithm, and the effectiveness of the optimization was validated using a dynamics model and a rail damage model.
[1]ChallenJM, OxleyPLB, HockenhullBS, 1986. Prediction of Archard’s wear coefficient for metallic sliding friction assuming a low cycle fatigue wear mechanism. Wear, 111(3):275-288.
[2]DingJJ, SunSL, LiF, et al., 2012. Simulation of coupling relationship between wheel rolling contact fatigue and wear. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 48(16):86-90.
[3]EkbergA, MaraisJ, 2000. Effects of imperfections on fatigue initiation in railway wheels. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 214(1):45-54.
[4]EvansJR, LeeTKY, HonCC, 2008. Optimising the wheel/rail interface on a modern urban rail system. Vehicle System Dynamics, 46(sup1):119-127.
[5]GrassieS, NilssonP, BjurstromK, et al., 2002. Alleviation of rolling contact fatigue on Sweden’s heavy haul railway. Wear, 253(1-2):42-53.
[6]HienschM, BurgelmanN, 2019. Rolling contact fatigue: damage function development from two-disc test data. Wear, 430-431:376-382.
[7]HuYL, GeX, LingL, et al., 2025. Dynamic performance of a high-speed train exiting a tunnel under crosswinds. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 26(1):21-35. http://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A2300610
[8]JendelT, 2002. Prediction of wheel profile wear—comparisons with field measurements. Wear, 253(1-2):89-99.
[9]KalousekJ, SrobaP, HegelundC, 1989. Analysis of rail grinding tests and implications for corrective and preventative grinding. The Fourth International Heavy Haul Railway Conference, p.193-204.
[10]KalkerJJ, 1982. A fast algorithm for the simplified theory of rolling contact. Vehicle System Dynamics, 11(1):1-13.
[11]KangSJ, LeeIS, LeeKH, et al., 2002. Hecke algebras, Specht modules and Gröbner–Shirshov bases. Journal of Algebra, 252(2):258-292.
[12]LiYX, DaiLC, GuoZT, et al., 2024. Carbody abnormal lateral vibration failure of high–speed train induced by the coupling factor of the wheel re-profiling method and excessive rail wear. Engineering Failure Analysis, 160:108170.
[13]LinFT, HuWH, 2020. Study on the economical grinding surface of wear rail. Journal of Railway Science and Engineering, 17(10):2493-2502 (in Chinese).
[14]LinFT, ZhouS, DongXQ, et al., 2021. Design method of LM thin flange wheel profile based on NURBS. Vehicle System Dynamics, 59(1):17-32.
[15]MagelEE, KalousekJ, 2002. The application of contact mechanics to rail profile design and rail grinding. Wear, 253(1-2):308-316.
[16]NikbakhtS, AnitescuC, RabczukT, 2021. Optimizing the neural network hyperparameters utilizing genetic algorithm. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 22(6):407-426.
[17]RanL, DingY, ChenQZ, et al., 2023. Influence of adjacent shield tunneling construction on existing tunnel settlement: field monitoring and intelligent prediction. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 24(12):1106-1119.
[18]SunY, ZhuSY, ZhaiWM, 2018. Influence of tread hollow-worn wheel on wheel/rail interaction. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 54(4):109-116.
[19]TianGR, ZhangWH, ChiMR, 2009. Study on curve negotiation performance of heavy-haul train. Journal of the China Railway Society, 31(4):98-103 (in Chinese).
[20]WangP, GaoL, 2015. Numerical simulation of wheel wear evolution for heavy haul railway. Journal of Central South University, 22(1):196-207.
[21]WangJX, ChenX, LiXG, et al., 2015. Influence of heavy haul railway curve parameters on rail wear. Engineering Failure Analysis, 57:511-520.
[22]WangWJ, ChenMT, GuG, et al., 2007. Rail grinding technique and its application in high-speed railway. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 42(5):574-577 (in Chinese).
[23]XieYL, WangWJ, GuoJ, et al., 2023. Rail rolling contact fatigue response diagram construction and shakedown map optimization. Wear, 528-529:204964.
[24]XuX, DingL, MiaoHC, et al., 2023. Nonproportionally multiaxial cyclic plastic deformation of U75 rail steel: experiment and modeling. International Journal of Fatigue, 168:107480.
[25]XuXN, WenZY, NiY, et al., 2024. Study on monitoring broken rails of heavy haul railway based on ultrasonic guided wave. Scientific Reports, 14(1):8667.
[26]YangY, 2019. Optimization of Rail Profile on Curve Based on the Competitive Relationship Between Fatigue and Wear. MS Thesis, Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, Shijiazhuang, China(in Chinese).
[27]YangY, HeQL, CaiCB, et al., 2024. A novel 3D train-bridge interaction model for monorail system considering nonlinear wheel-track slipping behavior. Nonlinear Dynamics, 112(5):3265-3310.
[28]YouSY, TangJY, ZhouW, et al., 2022. Research on calculation of contact fatigue life of rough tooth surface considering residual stress. Engineering Failure Analysis, 140:106459.
[29]ZakharovSM, GoryachevaIG, 2005. Rolling contact fatigue defects in freight car wheels. Wear, 258(7-8):1142-1147.
[30]ZakharovSM, GoryachevaI, BogdanovV, et al., 2008. Problems with wheel and rail profiles selection and optimization. Wear, 265(9-10):1266-1272.
[31]ZhaiWM, GaoJM, LiuPF, et al., 2014. Reducing rail side wear on heavy-haul railway curves based on wheel-rail dynamic interaction. Vehicle System Dynamics, 52(S1):440-454.
[32]ZhangCC, ZhouY, HuangXW, et al., 2019. Research on the rail pre-grinding strategy and growth characteristics of rail defects in high-speed railway. Journal of East China Jiaotong University, 36(2):33-40 (in Chinese).
[33]ZhaoX, WenZF, WangHY, et al., 2021. Research progress on wheel/rail rolling contact fatigue of rail transit in China. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 21(1):1-35.
[34]ZhaoY, NanJ, CuiFY, et al., 2007. Water quality forecast through application of BP neural network at Yuqiao reservoir. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 8(9):1482-1487.
[35]ZhouY, ZhangJ, YangXW, et al., 2015. U75V Experiment on the rolling contact fatigue crack and wear of U75V heat-treated rail. Journal of Tongji University, 43(6):877-881 (in Chinese).
[36]ZhouY, WangZ, LuZC, et al., 2021. Verification of prediction method for coexistence of rolling contact fatigue crack initiation and wear growth in rail. Journal of Tongji University, 49(3):411-420 (in Chinese).
Open peer comments: Debate/Discuss/Question/Opinion
<1>