Effect of change of Rail profile on Rolling Contact Fatigue stress at Wheel-Rail Interface

The general objective of this thesis is to analyze effect of change of radiuses curvature of Rail profile on contact fatigue stress using analytic and finite element software's. The formulation in this study aims primarily at determination of stresses and fatigue parameters by varying contact area arising from variation in radiuses curvature of Rail profile. A change in radiuses curvature of Rail profile brings in a change in contact area and stresses. The theoretical models are based on the normal problem (Hertz theory) correspondingly, variations in the results in terms of principal stresses and fatigue parameters such as equivalent stresses, fatigue damage, and expected fatigue life with changes in radiuses curvature of Rail profile are obtained. Comparisons of different radiuses curvature of Rail profile are taken place. Better radiuses curvature of Rail profile is suggested. Results obtained are expected to help understand the rail wheel configuration dependence on the stress deformation pattern and fatigue parameters. This may help an appropriate selection of radiuses curvature of Rail profile in the optimization process.