A design influence on the mechanical compliance and fracture resistance of railway wheel

Abstract

A fracture mechanics approach is used to determinate crack behaviour in a railway wheel which is working under different operating conditions with consideration of different types of railway wheel discs. Reliability of the railway wheel is related to a material failure. This paper is focused on failure of the material which is connected with violation consistency of the wheel material. The fracture mechanic approach is applied with consideration of influence of mechanical compliance. The topology optimization is used to define the shape of one disc type. Obtained results show fracture behaviour and the mechanical compliance of used railway wheel discs. From these results, comparison of separated railway wheel discs is obtained.

Keywords

• Fracture mechanics
• Mechanical compliance
• Railway wheel