Influence of spin creepage on contact patch

The wheel-rail contact patch analysis methods are related to the evolution of modern computers. Contemporary computation systems allow the approach of tri-dimensional methods which take into account various contact parameters. With this background in mind, the wheel-rail contact problem is a study under development. The paper proposes a tri-dimensional approach, considering the spin creepage parameters. The spin effect is due to the increase of the wear around the wheel flange and the gage face. At the same time, the spin is influenced by the wheel rolling operating conditions. The paper gives an insight of wear mechanisms analysis, plastic deformation and fatigue phenomenon of the contact patch constituent material.