Resumen
The main goal of this paper is to show how the effects of maximum bending tensions at different locations in the track caused by simultaneous changes of various parameters can be estimated in a rational manner. The dynamics of the vertical interaction between a moving rigid wheel and a flexible railway track is investigated. An asymmetric linear three-dimensional beam structure model of a finite length of the track is suggested. The influence of eight selected track parameters on the dynamic behaviour of the track is investigated. A two-level fractional factorial design method is used in the search for the combination of numerical values of these parameters minimizing themaximum bending tensions.