Study on Influence of Wheel Size on Wheel Wear

Wheel size parameters will change within a certain range during wheel life cycle. Their influence on wheel wear has not been systematically studied. In this paper, based on the theory of vehicle dynamics and wheel wear, the influence of wheel sizes on wheel wear and its underlying mechanism were investigated. Vehicle wear modelling, simulation and measured data analysis were performed to validate the wear law obtained from the mechanism analysis. The results showed that the variation in wheel diameter will affect tread ware rate. Under the same conditions, a smaller wheel diameter induces a smaller contact patch, higher contact stresses, greater longitudinal creepage, and more wheel rotations when running the same mileage, which will aggravate the tread wear. Both wheel diameter and flange thickness will affect flange wear rate. Under the same conditions, a larger wheel diameter leads to a greater lateral movement of the wheelsets during curving, which will aggravate the flange wear. A wheel with a thicker flange is more likely to encounter flange-rail contact, resulting in more flange wear. The above findings can be used to support the decision-making of EMU wheelset operation and maintenance.