Methodologies of experimental determination of wheel-rail contact forces

Abstract

This paper analyses the most relevant methodologies of experimental determination of wheel-rail contact forces. The basic principles of realization of measurement systems, as well as advantages and disadvantages of different methodologies and technical solutions are considered. The special attention was paid to the technical solutions of instrumented wheelsets which are nowadays usually used for measurement of wheel-rail contact forces. The contemporary trends and the most important problems in development of instrumented wheelsets are identified and discussed. The basic guidelines and directions for resolution of key problems in order to obtain high sensitivity and measurement accuracy are given.