Time-domain model for wheel-rail noise analysis at high operation speed

This paper develops a numerical model for wheel-rail noise analysis in the time-domain. This model for wheel-rail noise is based on vehicle-track coupling dynamics considering the effect of flexible wheelsets and track, and a transient wheel-rail noise prediction method. This model can approximatively characterize the components of vibration and noise in the frequency range up to 3.5 kHz. The wheel-rail forces are calculated and shown in both time and frequency domains by using the vehicletrack coupling dynamic model. Then the vibration and sound of the flexible wheelset are calculated by the transient finite elementboundary element (FE-BE) prediction model at 300 km/h, in which the effects of random irregularity and discrete supporting excitation are considered. The numerical results calculated by using the present model are discussed. The present model is also used to calculate the effect of corrugation with wavelengths of 40 mm to 300 mm on wheel-rail noise. The numerical results can be useful for academic research and engineering application to railway noise and vibration.