Citation

Náhlík L, Pokorný P, Ševčík M, Fajkoš R, Matušek P, Hutař P. Eng. Failure Anal. 2017; 73: 139-157.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, European Structural Integrity Society, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.engfailanal.2016.12.014

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The railway axles are subjected to cyclic loading during their operation. Their load is of long-term nature, therefore a real risk of fatigue failure exists. This failure could lead to derailment of the whole train with serious consequences. To prevent such scenario, the railway axles have to be safely removed from operation before their final failure occurs. This paper presents methodology for the residual fatigue lifetime prediction of the railway axle based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics concept. The methodology contains estimation of the critical position of initial crack, prediction of the fatigue crack front shape development during crack propagation, separation of the bending and press-fitting contributions to the axle load, experimental measurement of the crack growth kinetics of EA4T steel and subsequent estimation of the residual fatigue lifetime of railway axle. Part of the presented study is also devoted to the probability aspects of determination of material characteristics describing fatigue crack propagation and retardation effects caused by existence of plastic zone ahead of propagating fatigue crack. Described methodology is already applied in the design process of new railway axles in Bonatrans company.

Language: en

Keywords

Damage tolerance methodology; Fatigue crack propagation; Railway axle; Residual fatigue lifetime; Variable amplitude loading