Dynamic Responses Due to Irregularity of No. 38 Turnout for High-Speed Railway

Turnout is one weak part of railway track network and there are regularly various types of irregularities, which will influence train running smoothness and comfortableness, and even the speed of train through turnout. So it is necessary to analyze turnouts' dynamic responses due to those irregularities to guarantee turnout operation. Taking No.38 turnout of high-speed railway as an example, a whole vehicle model and a swing-nose crossing lateral turnout model were established, and dynamic response due to turnout irregularity under the action of vehicle loads was analyzed by using the turnout dynamics simulation software based on finite element method. Results show that the combined effects of various types of irregularities generate bigger dynamic responses than single irregularity, and have a larger influence on turnouts. So there are two suggestions for the large-number turnout design and use: firstly optimize the assign positions of traction points and reduce the insufficient displacement as soon as possible with the purpose to ensure a good attachment between switch rail and nose rail; secondly limit gaps between slide plate and switch rail or nose rail, and make sure that the gaps don't appear successively.