Evaluation of Field Calibration Test on Rail for Train Wheel Force Measurement

An accurate measurement of the train-track interaction forces is important for track performance evaluation. In the field calibration test as a wheel load measurement process, the calibration system creates a different boundary condition in comparison with that in the train wheel passage. This study aims to evaluate a reliability of the field calibration test in the process of wheel load measurement. Finite element models were developed to compare the deformed shapes, bending moment and shear force profiles on the rail section. The analysis results revealed that the deformed shapes and their associated bending moment profiles on the rail are significantly different in two numerical simulations of the calibration test and the train wheel load passage. However, the shear stress profile on the rail section of the strain gauge installation in the field was almost identical, which may imply that the current calibration test is sufficiently reliable.