On the accuracy of pressure measurement films in wheel-rail contact applications

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christian Schindler
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development ; Mechanics
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273675311

The aim of the proposed project is to determine the systematic error in wheel-rail contact measurements using pressure measurement films, specifically considering different surface roughness values. For this purpose, experimental measurements would be conducted firstly using Hertzian contact bodies so that it is possible to analytically calculate the exact contact shape and size, and then using stochastically roughened contact bodies. The loads and relative radii in the experiments would be so selected that the results are valid for the real wheel-rail contact. Furthermore, the experimental measurements would be complemented by detailed finite element simulations in order to determine the causes of the systematic errors.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants