ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUCK COMPONENT LOAD AND BOLSTER FATIGUE TEST DATA

Three series of U.S. railroad environmental service tests for freight car trucks acquired recorded data relevant to the test car(s) and truck(s) and to the track traversed. The methods of data processing and analysis are explained. Load spectra are developed for side frame and bolster side bearing vertical channels, and for "bounce" and "rock" cycles, with analysis and presentation of results sorted by speed ranges and by track or railroad locations. The reduced data evolve into curves of loading magnitudes plotted against occurrences per mile. Principles in the development of a truck bolster fatigue specification are discussed. Very preliminary results from mutual bolster lab test programs are presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See AAR Report R-182, Report on Freight Car Truck Road Service Tests Series A, B, & C, RRIS 03 147708. This report presents interim results of the RPI-AAR Railroad Truck Safety Research and Test Project.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • EVANS, R A
  • Johnson, M R
• Publication Date: 1976-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 114 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bolsters; Dynamics; Fatigue strength; Fatigue tests; Freight cars; Performance based specifications; Testing; Train track dynamics; Trucks; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Performance specifications
• Old TRIS Terms: Freight car component performance; Truck and bolster systems; Truck dynamics; Truck safety research and test project
• Subject Areas: Design; Motor Carriers; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00147706
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-246 Res. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: RPI-AAR-1972
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM