Investigation of plastic flow of rail vehicle wheels and its effects on rolling contact fatigue based on a dynamic method

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis Vol. 163; p. 108484
• Main Authors: Bo, Wang, Qing, Wu, Shuihui, Luo, Spiryagin, Maksym, Kaikai, Lyu, Weihua, Ma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Plastic flow; Rail vehicle; RCF; Wheel; Rail vehicle; Wheel; Plastic flow; RCF
• ISSN: 1350-6307; 1873-1961
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108484

•Three dynamic indicators for predicting plastic flow in railway systems based on the mechanics of wheel-rail contact, Tresca’s yielding criterion and shakedown theory.•A dynamic method that is simple to model and fast to compute for predicting plastic flow in railway systems.•Key parameters affecting plastic flow and rolling contact fatigue.•A dynamic approach for the impact of plastic flow on rolling contact fatigue damage.•Effect of different degrees of plastic flow on rolling contact fatigue. To analyze the plastic flow of wheels and its impact on rolling contact fatigue (RCF), this article proposes a multibody dynamics approach that is simple to model and fast to compute, based on the mechanics of wheel-rail contact and Tresca yield criterion. This method is used to study the plastic flow of the wheels and is validated by comparing it with plastic flow analysis based on the shakedown theory. The study shows that the dynamics indicators of maximum shear stress, adhesion saturation and stress ratio effectively reflect the plastic deformation of the wheel. Additionally, increasing wheel speed and curve radius, and decreasing wheel-rail friction coefficient, can effectively reduce the area and severity of plastic deformation in the wheel. Ignoring the impact of temperature effects on RCF, it is found that the more severe the plastic flow, the greater the likelihood of RCF. That is, alleviating the plastic flow of the wheel can reduce RCF damage in wheels. This approach to managing the health of wheels provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between operational parameters and the mechanical behavior of wheel materials, guiding maintenance strategies and operational decisions to enhance safety and extend the lifespan of railway components.