Noise and vibration generated by rail vehicles has become an issue of increasing concern, particularly in urban and interurban contexts where the demand for sustainable and efficient mobility has driven the expansion of rail networks. Several mitigation solutions have been developed in the recent years, involving noise barriers, sound absorbing materials, advanced track components, resilient wheels and damping devices installed on wheels and rails.
The thesis aims to investigate the potential benefits of wheel and rail dampers in mitigating vibration and noise. The primary focus is on modelling a specific damping device installed on the wheel (wheel damper), with the objective of reducing rolling noise and curve squeal. The work involves the development of a numerical Finite Element (FE) model of the wheel damper and the optimisation of its design. In addition, prototyping of the damper and laboratory testing on a tramcar resilient wheel may be undertaken to validate the numerical results.
Supervisor: Prof. Roberto Corradi
Co-Supervisors: Prof. Egidio Di Gialleonardo, Ing. Federico Castellini, Ing. Leonardo Faccini
Contacts: federico.castellini@polimi.it
References
[1] D. Thompson. Railway Noise and Vibration: Mechanisms, Modelling and Means of Control.