Engineering Approach to Weld Repairs for Bogie (Truck) Frames

Abstract

As welded rail car truck (bogie) frames become more common than cast frames and as they accumulate more service time and mileage, increasing numbers of service-induced defects are bound to occur. Some items requiring repair or rehabilitation include cracks, accident damage, excessively worn surfaces, and modifications for addition of equipment or mounting brackets. Bogie frames are structural components exposed to severe static and dynamic loads and hence repairs and modifications must consider all aspects of performance. This paper reviews a methodology used by LTK Engineering Services to determine root causes of service-induced defects and to subsequently qualify repairs and modifications to allow the bogie frames to meet their design operating lifetime. The method includes analyses of both the material and the failure itself, to confirm the adequacy of the frame material and to identify the design or fabrication factor(s) contributing to the development of cracks. Stress analysis of varying complexity is utilized to confirm the crack initiation and propagation causes as well as to screen potential repair approaches.