Effect of compositions and hardness on wheel-rail contact analysis and wear behavior of wheel materials using finite element method: a case study of Addis Ababa light rail transit
Abstract Contact stress arises in the wheel-rail because of the load imposed on the wheel. This stress on wheel leads to wear, distortion, and damage, increasing maintenance or replacement costs. This study primarily evaluates stresses in wheel-rail contact utilizing the FEM method to compare existi...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Materials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00243-5 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Contact stress arises in the wheel-rail because of the load imposed on the wheel. This stress on wheel leads to wear, distortion, and damage, increasing maintenance or replacement costs. This study primarily evaluates stresses in wheel-rail contact utilizing the FEM method to compare existing and newly developed wheel materials for their load-carrying capacity. A three-dimensional finite element analysis model of a wheel-rail system was created, and stress at a contact patch is calculated by applying a load. The study examines how the composition and hardness of materials affect stress distribution in wheel-rail contact. The composition of silicone, manganese, and carbon is increased to 0.5, 0.7 and 0.25% for the current wheel and to 0.8, 1.15 and 0.38% for the alloyed wheel. With a 0.82% increase in hardness for the alloyed wheel, the maximum equivalent (von-Mises) stress was found to be 0.26124 MPa for the existing wheel and 0.12907 MPa for the alloyed wheel. Finally, the result showed that the maximum deformation for the existing wheel was 0.0001225 mm, while for the alloyed wheel, it was 7.3088e-5 mm. Therefore, Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit and similar railway companies should consider the result of this study to improve their operations. |
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| ISSN: | 2730-7727 |