Fatigue Analysis of the Rail Underhead Radius under High Axle Load Conditions

Abstract:

An evaluation of the potential risk of fatigue damage at the rail underhead radius (UHR) due to the occurrence of a short duration tensile stress peak, as a wheel passes over, has been examined. The tensile stress peak is mainly due to the localised bending of the rail head-on-web and its magnitude is associated with the contact position, lateral and vertical forces and rail head wear (HW). The stresses at the underhead radius have been explored using the finite element method (FEM). The Dang Van (DV) criterion, implemented as a customised computer programme, was used to identify the fatigue damage at the UHR. Fatigue behaviour under heavy haul conditions was compared for heat-treated low alloy, euctectoid and hypereutectoid rail grades in order to predict allowable rail head wear limits.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 891-892)
• Pages: 1181-1187
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.891-892.1181
• Online since: March 2014
• Authors: Sagheer Abbas Ranjha*, Peter J. Mutton, Ajay Kapoor
• Keywords: Finite Element Method (FEM), Heavy Haul Operations, Multiaxial Fatigue, Rail, Underhead Radius Stresses, Wear

References

[1] Lyons ML, Jeong DY, Gordon JE. Fracture Mechanics Approach to Estimate Rail Wear Limits. ASME Conference Proceedings, (48944): 137-46, (2009).

DOI: 10.1115/rtdf2009-18035

[2] Jeong DY, Tang YH, Orringer O. Estimation of rail head wear limits based on rail strength investigations, Office of research and development Washington, DC 20590, DOT/FRA/ORD-98/07, DOT-VNTSC-FRA-98-13, Final report, December. (1998).

[3] Marich S. Rail wear/fatigue limits: Thomas Telford Ltd, Track Technology, London, UK (1985).

DOI: 10.1680/tt.02289.0018

[4] Marich S. Major advances in rail techonologies achieved in the past 10-20 years. 8th International Heavy Haul Railway Conference; Brazil (2005).

[5] Marich S. Some facts and myths about rail grinding - The Australian experience. 8th International Heavy Haul Railway Conference; Brazil (2005).

[6] Ranjha SA, Ding, K., Mutton, P.J., Kapoor, A., Rapid fracture behavior of rolling contact fatgue cracks under high axle load conditions, In proceedings of the conference of International Heavy Haul associations (IHHA 2013); 6 February 2013; New Delhi, India (2013).

[7] Ranjha SA, Ding K, Mutton PJ, Kapoor A. Finite element modelling of the rail gauge corner and underhead radius stresses under heavy axle load conditions. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit 2012; 226(3): 318-30.

DOI: 10.1177/0954409711424095

[8] Ranjha SA, Ding K, Mutton PJ, Kapoor A. Mechanical state of the rail underhead region under heavy haul operations. CORE 2012: Global Perspectives; Conference on Railway Engineering, 10-12 September 2012, Brisbane, Australia Barton, ACT: Engineers Australia, 2012: 185-194 ISBN: 9780987398901.

[9] Dang Van K, Maitournam MH, Moumni Z, Roger F. A comprehensive approach for modeling fatigue and fracture of rails. Engineering Fracture Mechanics. [doi: DOI: 10. 1016/j. engfracmech. 2008. 12. 020]. 2009; 76(17): 2626-36.

DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2008.12.020

[10] Lee YL, Pan J, Hathaway R, Barkey M. Fatigue testing and analysis: theory and practice. Massacheusetts: Butterworth-Heinemann; (2004).

[11] Ranjha SA. Effect of head wear on rail underhead radius stresses and fracture under high axle load conditions PhD Thesis, Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia (2013).