Experimental and Numerical Visualisation of Subsurface Rail Deformation in a Full-Scale Wheel–Rail Test Rig

Timna Jakomijna Gschwandl, Tristan M. Weniger, Thomas Antretter, David Künstner, Stephan Scheriau, Werner Daves

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

To tackle the problem of various types of rail damage, such as rolling contact fatigue (RCF) or wear, a profound knowledge of the occurring mechanisms is necessary. This paper presents a newly developed full-scale test rig experiment that involves inserting softer pins into the rail head. These tests help deepen our understanding of shear deformation in rail steels. Furthermore, a finite element (FE) simulation approach is introduced that can be related to the test rig experiments. With these experiments, in combination with the FE simulation, valuable information regarding the plastic deformation can be obtained. This methodology allows predictions regarding a rail’s material behaviour during cyclic wheel loading. Moreover, it enables an effective and rapid qualitative material assessment, reducing the costs of expensive and time-consuming experiments.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1089
Number of pages18
JournalMetals
Volume13.2023
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • finite element analysis (FEA)
  • full-scale test rig
  • rolling contact fatigue
  • shear deformation
  • wheel–rail contact

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