Numerical simulation model for the competition between short crack propagation and wear in the wheel tread

Abstract

A numerical model is developed to simulate the competition between RCF-initiated short crack propagation and wear in a wheel tread. The crack is assumed to initiate when the total accumulated plastic shear strain reaches the critical value. In the early crack growth simulations, the two-stage short crack growth model proposed by Hobson is applied. With regard to wear, the Archard model is adopted as the basis. The model is shown to operate properly when applied to the results of unidirectional twin disc tests. When an outward route comprising a 1000 km straight run is simulated based on the Shinkansen routes, it is found that the tread is hardly damaged. The results obtained from the rolling reversal fatigue tests show that if the rolling direction of the wheel is reversed, the delamination wear becomes dominant.