Dynamic Analysis of the Turnout Diverging Track for HSR with Variable Curvature Sections

The paper presents an analytical method of identifying the curvature of the turnout diverging track consisting of sections of varying curvature. Both linear and nonlinear (polynomial) curvatures of the turnout diverging track are identified and evaluated in the paper. The presented method is a universal one; it enables to assume curvature values at the beginning and end point of the geometrical layout of the turnout. The results of dynamics analysis show that widely used in railway practice, clothoid sections with nonzero curvatures at the beginning and end points of the turnout lead to increased dynamic interactions in the track-vehicle system. The turnout with nonlinear curvature reaching zero values at the extreme points of the geometrical layout is indicated in the paper as the most favourable, taking into account dynamic interactions occurring in the track-vehicle system.