Numerical Simulation and Parametric Analysis of Fatigue Crack in UIC60 Rail Thermite Welded Joint

Abstract

The mechanism of rail-wheel contact is the most essential field of study in railway engineering since it requires extensive application expertise, diagnostic skills, and a trustworthy analysis technique. In this research the fatigue life of a UIC60 rail AT weld under vertical load and its parametric effect has been studied, and for that a three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element model is created using ANSYS space-claim software, and then finite element method is employed to analyse the full-scale model of wheel-track and weld system with realistic three-dimensional solution. Model assembly components include axle, wheel, and thermite-welded rail. Simulation of contact between wheel and UIC60 rail weld with crack on weld at angles of 30 and 60 degrees with different coefficients of friction between the weld wheel contact and between crack surfaces was carried out under vertical loadings. In general, the Hertz contact theory assumptions are taken into consideration throughout the analysis, and the impacts on fatigue life are given by using damage mechanics method. The results of the wheel/weld fatigue crack analysis have been displayed to demonstrate the influence of different parameters on the fatigue life of cracks. The purpose of this study is to identify and safeguard the rail against failure, as well as to ensure the safety of passengers and to reduce the cost of maintaining the rail system.