Evaluation of Rail Fatigue Life by Rail Grinding in the High Speed Railway

레일연마에 따른 고속철도 레일 피로수명 평가

The control of rail surface irregularity is very important for the high speed train service in the high speed rail. In order to manage it, initial, preventative, and maintainable rail grinding have been performed and among them, preventative rail grinding conducts in every each year. This study carried out the field test for dynamic track response according to rail surface irregularity comparing before and after rail grinding. In addition, the change of dynamic track responses according to rail grinding was analyzed and the fatigue life was estimated though Rainflow Counting Method and RMC Equivalence Stress. Therefore, it suggested that rail fatigue life should be increased by rail grinding, because amount of impact occurred on track is decreased by getting rid of rail surface irregularity.