BRITISH RAILWAYS INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE PROBLEM OF AXLE FATIGUE FAILURES UNDER THE WHEEL HUB

This paper discusses the problem of the fatigue failure of railway axles and points out the main factors contributing to failures of this type. The reasons behind the investigation currently in progress are described and the results obtained to date are given. Future work is detailed and it is shown how the results of these experiments should enable a more satisfactory axle service performance to be obtained. A certain amount of increase in axle fatigue strength has been obtained by the straightforward application of metallurgically better materials--as happened when wrought iron was replaced by steel. However, because of the overriding importance of shape in a component subjected to fatigue loading, as an axle is, it can be predicted that the use of even higher strength steels will not produce proportionate increases in axle fatigue strength unless allied to a shape of axle which excludes, as far as possible, all notch and stress concentration effects.

• Corporate Authors:

  British Railways

  Research Department
  Derby,   England 
• Authors:
  • BURDON, E S
• Publication Date: 1963-4-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 27

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axles; Coatings; Defects; Deformation curve; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Load transfer; Railroad cars; Simulation; Stripping (Pavements); Technology; Vehicle design; Wheels; Wheelsets (Railroads)
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle defects; Axle design; Axle fatigue; Fretting
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040216
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM