A Test Rig for Multi-Wheelset Adhesion Experiments

This paper shows the development of innovative methodologies to simulate the adhesion recovery phenomenon by means of a scaled roller-rig. The task of this work is the design of a scaled multi-axles roller-rig, that allows different wheelsets to press on the same couple of rollers. The paper shows the solutions adopted for the new test bench and the multibody numerical model developed to evaluate the dynamical behaviour of the different wheelsets when degraded adhesion occurs on a roller section. In order to dispose of data relative to the adhesion coefficient variation due to the passage of different wheelsets, preliminary experimental tests have been performed on the single axis roller-rig of the Politecnico di Torino. In order to obtain these data a small portion of the roller surface has been contaminated, and the variation of the adhesion coefficient due to the wheelset passage has been measured.