Investigation on rail corrugation grinding criterion based on coupled vehicle–track dynamics and rolling contact fatigue model

Based on the measured spectra of rail roughness and track structures longitudinal roughness, the rail grinding limit is studied with the help of an established coupled dynamic metro vehicle–track model and a rolling contact fatigue model. The results indicate that metro rail grinding control should be regulated according to corrugation wavelength range and operating speed. Based on the rolling contact fatigue model, longer wavelength of rail corrugation has less influence on the wheel rolling contact fatigue. For the metro lines with a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h, the average levels of rail corrugation in the wavelength ranges of 30–65 mm, 65–125 mm, and 125–250 mm should be less than 5.4, 24.8, and 33.8 dB re 1 μm, respectively; for the ones with the operating speed of 80–120 km/h, the corresponding average corrugation levels in the three wavelength ranges should be less than 4.4, 9.8, and 29.8 dB re 1 μm, respectively.