A Numerical Estimation Method for Strength Parameters of the Components with Stress Concentrators Like Non-Metallic Inclusions

The problem of the numerical estimation of contact strength for parts with stress concentrators, such as non-metallic inclusions, is considered. Using the approaches of mechanics and mathematical modeling, a variational formulation of establishing a relationship between the characteristics of stress concentrators and the strength parameters of the surface layers of parts is presented. In solving the problem, the numerical tools used were the Fenics finite element analysis package and its implementation in Python. The implementation of the developed methodology was carried out on the practical task of determining the strength of railway wheels with subsurface inclusions. The studies have shown a nonlinear dependence of changes in the serviceability of the components’ surface layers on such characteristics of elliptical inclusions as their depth, linear size of the weakened zone, and the ratio of the principal radii. It has been established that the most dangerous in terms of operation are inclusions located at a depth of 3.5 mm from the edge of the contact interaction and having a weakening zone around them.