United States Department of Transportation
i
Development of a Computational Model for Predicting Fracture in Rails Subjected to Long-Term Cyclic Fatigue Loading
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2024-09-30
[PDF-1.54 MB]
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Edition:June 1, 2023-August 31, 2024
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Abstract:It is well-known that one of the most significant causes of train derailments within the U.S. is rail fracture. Despite this fact, a reliable model for predicting fatigue fracture in rails has not yet been deployed within the U.S. We have recently been developing a two-way coupled multiscale computational algorithm for predicting crack evolution in ductile solids subjected to long-term cyclic loading. In this UTCRS project, we will adapt this model to the prediction of crack growth in rails. Concomitantly, with funding provided by TTCI (Now MxV), we have for nearly a decade performed long-term laboratory cyclic crack growth experiments on rails. We possess the ability to both predict crack growth due to cyclic fatigue in rails and utilize our experimental results to validate our predictive methodology. It is therefore our intention to: (1) modify our multi-scale computational model to predict crack growth due to cyclic fatigue in rails; (2) validate our model against our own previously obtained experimental results; and (3) develop a procedure based on our model for railway engineers to utilize to determine when rails should be inspected and potentially removed from service for cause, thereby enhancing rail safety.
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