Contact Stress Analysis in Rolling Bodies by Finite Element Method (FEM) Statically

Abstract

Analysis of contact stress in rail and wheel is very prominent in mechanical and railway engineering. In this research, numerical analysis (FEA) of contact stress for two rolling bodies is studied by finite element method (FEM). The model considers the wheel and the rail as elastic deformable bodies and requires numerical solutions. The analysis of stresses is carried out by FEM. Next, critical area in rail and wheel are determined by results of stress analysis with numerical method. So we almost can rely on this numerical method and their results for prediction of critical points. To analyse the pressure of collection of the wheel and rail, elliptical, rectangular and circular contact surfaces are assumed for this study. With these assumptions, suitable results will be achieved. The rail fracture, failure and analysis of stress should be studied to prevent rail fracture and events. The analysis of contact stress is performed by FEM and it is compared with different contact surfaces results. These contact areas can be elliptical, rectangular or circular. Also, these results can be useful for analysing of crack creation in critical points and surfaces. Finally, good agreements are found between finite element method (FEM) and pre- vious analytical results for determination of contact stress in rolling bodies.