Study of Surface Damage of Train Wheels Using Finite Element Method

The objective of this research is to study the surface damage of train wheels and rail under applied loads. The simulation of this damage was predicted and calculated using finite element method (FEM), specially with the ABAQUS program. According to the EN13674-1 (R350HT) and EN13262 standard for train rail and wheel, respectively, the train wheel and rail were modeled to create a suitable mesh and to simulate stress and deformation. The distribution of stress and deformation were first analyzed when the interaction between wheel and rail occurred. In this research the simulated damage was further discussed in the context of both rolling and non-rolling wheels on the rail. The simulated results showed that the maximum stress was distributed beneath the surfaces of wheels and rails, leading to initiation and propagation of crack. The continuous crack beneath the surface led to the surface fatigue, resulting in material loss. The fatigue life of surface was also evaluated and calculated based on these predicted stresses. The effect of plastic deformation occurring on the surface due to rolling fatigue were further discussed in this work.