Rail Corrugation of High-Speed Railway Induced by Rail Grinding

Rail corrugation is a common railway defect that involves diverse and complex factors. Rail grinding is also the most commonly used method to address corrugations. Through numerous irregularity tests and one-third octave frequency spectrum analyses, this study determined the characteristics and development process for rail corrugation on high-speed rail tracks. The vibration transmission properties of the grinding train were tested using the force hammer impacting method. Thereafter, using a simulation, the influence of the vertical vibration behavior of the grinding stone and the stiffness of the hydraulics were determined. Through a series of field tests and numerical simulations, this study revealed a clear correlation between rail corrugation and rail grinding and confirmed that the technical operation of rail grinding is closely associated with regular grinding marks at a wavelength of approximately 60 mm on rail surfaces. The combination of the natural vibration of the grinding stone (frequency of 60 Hz) and an inappropriate operational process can aggravate the grinding marks on the rail surfaces, thereby forming an initial excitation of rail corrugation. Although a large number of irregularity tests are performed after rail grinding, these wavelength-fixing grinding marks can cause the formation and development of rail corrugation. Suggestions for improving the high-speed rail-grinding technology are also provided.