MODELLING ROLLING CONTACT FATIGUE IN RAILS

A description is given of the fractographic features of subsurface fatigue in rails. This background knowledge is employed to develop a fracture mechanics model of the fatigue process and it is shown that crack propagation in shear is a dominant mechanism. With some simplifying assumptions, particularly with regard to the effectiveness of combined modes II and III in determining fatigue response, it is shown that the influence of material variations and railroad operational conditions on service fatigue performance can be evaluated. In particular, the effects of inclusion size and wheel load on rail performance are considered and predictions made as to the influence of axle load on the rate of appearance of significant defects in track.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Railway Congress Association

  17-21 rue de Louvrain
  1000 Brussels,   Belgium 
• Authors:
  • Chipperfield, C G
  • Blicbau, A S
• Publication Date: 1984-1

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 25-31
• Serial:
  • RAIL INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Cracking; Defects; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Fracture mechanics; Maintenance of way; Rail (Railroads); Rail steel; Shear strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack propagation
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail steel metallurgy
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386250
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Railways
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 1984 12:00AM