Objective Wheel polygonization is a common phenomenon in subway wheels after a certain period of service, posing a significant negative influence on safe operation of the train. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influence of wheel polygonal wear on the dynamic performance of metro vehicles.

Method A vehicle-track system dynamic model is established with SIMPACK for the train passing through curved lines at 80 km/h. Three indicators, namely derailment coefficient, wheel unloading rate and axle box vertical vibration acceleration, are selected as dynamic control indicators. According to the safety limit standards in GB/T 5599-2019 and IEC 61373:2010, the wave depth limit values of wheel polygonal wear under different orders are analyzed.

Result & Conclusion  With the order of the wheel polygon increases, the wheel wave depth limit value gradually decreases. In the evaluation of vehicle derailment safety, the derailment coefficient should be used as the primary basis, and the wheel unloading rate can only serve as an auxiliary evaluation criterion. From the 6^th to 10^th order, the wave depth limit values obtained from the axle box vertical vibration acceleration are very close to those obtained from the derailment coefficient. When the order of the wheel polygon is the 6^th order, the wave depth limit of the polygon is 0.48 mm, and when it is the 10^th order, the wave depth limit is 0.19 mm.