Rail Bogie Structural Assurance

Abstract

Two types of cast steel rail bogies have been affected by cracking and defects. The cast steel design was from a period when bogie loads were lower than the endurance limit. However, the bogies as manufactured included a large number of casting defects and 60 years of operations has resulted in many repairs being applied. Thus like all ageing structure, the original basis for safe operations may be invalid. Structural assurance instructions were developed based on the following work. A condition data survey was undertaken to obtain configurations and defects within the fleet. This was used to assist in identifying critical areas, types and shapes of defects. Two bogies were instrumented to obtain operational loads that were compared to modern standards to provide both a spectrum for future operations and loads for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Fatigue and Damage Tolerance Assessment (DTA). Finite Element Models (FEM) were developed to provide internal bogie loads and stresses for use in the fatigue and DTA and identify additional critical locations not identified in the condition data survey. DTA were undertaken to determine maximum flaw sizes and to verify the safe period of operation; given the loads, usage and stress data of the previous tasks. Based on the work undertaken, instructions for continued management documenting acceptable flaw criteria, life limits, and ongoing inspections were provided.