FEM ANALYSIS OF RAIL WHEEL OF PASSENGER COACHES

Abstract

In this dissertation work an appropriate methodology for the static and dynamic analysis of complex, three dimensional railway vehicles is presented by using commercial analysis software `ABAQUS'. Normal contact force problem is simulated in ABAQUS and results are compared with theoretical contact model. In this work the effect of wheel yaw and wheel camber is also analyzed. Furthermore by means of analysis results wear rate (mass loss) in either case is determined. Simulation is done for wide range of yaw and camber angle and normal load distribution on the contact patch is analyzed. Also wear model is proposed for the calculation of wear rate. Results from the wear calculation are then compared with the winkler model. In the-second part of dissertation work crack propagation analysis is carried out, Crack is introduced at the higher stressed area which is obtained by analysis and then effect of load and crack length on the SIF (stress intensity factor) is investigated. Results are compared with critical value of stress intensity factor.