Analysis of Dynamics and Wheel Wear of Low Floor Vehicle Based on Different Patterns

In order to reduce wheel wear of 70% low-floor trams, the steering mechanisms of the rigid wheelset and independently rotating wheels were analyzed. Two vehicle models were considered, i.e. those with traditional rigid wheelsets and with independently rotating wheels in the trailer bogies. In addition, the dynamic performances of these models under different conditions were calculated and compared with wheel wear conditions based on the Archard wear model. The results show that when running on a straight line, the vehicle with rigid wheelsets has better stability and lateral comfort, the wear is located in the middle of the tread and the wear is less. On the other hand, when running on a curve with a large radius, the vehicle with the rigid wheelset shows relatively good stability, lateral comfort, and wear condition. However, with decreased curve radius, the curve performance of the vehicle with rigid wheelset deteriorates rapidly, while the vehicle with independently rotating wheels has smaller variations in all indicators. When radius is 100 m or less, the vehicle with independently rotating wheels has better curve performance and less wear. Especially when radius is 25 m, the wear of independently rotating wheels is approximately 60% of the wear of the rigid wheelset. Vehicles with trailers that adopted rigid wheelsets perform well on a straight line and large radius curve, whereas trailers with independently rotating wheels are more suitable for curves with smaller radius.