Simulation analysis on fatigue damage mechanism and life assessment of rigid catenary pillar of railway lines

Purpose As a key structure in the railway power supply system, the overhead catenary pillar carries the entire weight and dynamic load of the contact suspension device and supporting equipment. Its stability and reliability are directly related to the operational safety and efficiency of electrified railways. Design/methodology/approach Regarding the phenomenon of abnormal shedding of coating above the support under the cantilever of the catenary pillar in the track running line, a three-dimensional model is established to analyse the rigid cantilever type catenary and the force analysis of the cantilever part is carried out by using ABAQUS to calculate the contact force of the bow network under different running speeds of the high-speed train. The load is applied at the locator end of the simplified model of the cantilever to get the support reaction force at the connection between the cantilever and the support. Findings The support reaction force is applied as a load to the three-dimensional model of the pillar support; the stress cloud and the stress extreme value of 86.14 MPa are obtained for the pillar and the support part and the fatigue life of the pillar’s key parts is calculated to be 12.02 years, respectively. Originality/value The upper part of the lower support of the high-speed rail catenary pillar is subjected to the alternating load transmitted by the bow net, which causes the fretting damage at this position, resulting in the abnormal peeling of the coating on the upper part of the lower support. Through combining the ABAQUS analysis with the structural characteristics and operating conditions of the catenary system, the main causes of component failure are determined.