Finite Element Models, Validation, and Results for Wheel Temperature and Elastic Thermal Stress Distributions

Final report: Nov 1992 - Feb 1993PDFTech ReportDOT-VNTSC-FRA-93-21DOT-FRA-ORD-93-17R3026/RR328AnalysisCommuter carsCrackingDesignFinite element methodMultiple unit carsStressesThermal stressesWheelsUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Railroad AdministrationTang, Yim HarGordon, JeffreyPerlman, A. B.Orringer, OscarJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)United States. Federal Railroad AdministrationNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-RAIL TRANSPORTATIONNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Rail SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Vehicle DesignVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThe report is the third of a series on the results of an engineering study of the effects of service loads on railroad vehicle wheels. The study was initiated in September 1991, in response to a request for assessment of contributing factors and corrective actions taken regarding high rates of crack occurrence in certain multiple unit (MU) powered cars used in commuter service. The ultimate goal of the study is the evaluation of safe limits on performance demand (weight carried per wheel, maximum speed, vehicle braking rate) as a function of wheel design, material selection, and manufacture, as well as percentage of braking effort absorbed through the wheel tread in service. The models developed in the study are intended to provide the capability for similar design engineering analyses of other railroad vehicle wheels besides the types used on MU cars