Stress analysis of railroad wheels using a conical shell element
TL;DR: In this article, a two-noded thin conical shell finite element is used to predict the stresses in railroad wheels when subjected to lateral and vertical loads, and a reasonable agreement is found between the two cases.
Abstract: A two-noded thin conical shell finite element is made use of to predict the stresses in railroad wheels when subjected to lateral and vertical loads. These stresses are compared with the results presented in the literature which have been obtained by using a triangular ring element. A reasonable agreement is found between the two cases. The advantages of the conical shell element over the triangular ring element in terms of computer time and memory are then discussed. A typical case is taken and it is shown that the conical shell element is about 30 times more efficient than the triangular ring element and requires 10 times less memory in the analysis of railroad wheels.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: A comprehensive survey of the literature on curved shell finite elements can be found in this article, where the first two present authors and Liaw presented a survey of such literature in 1990 in this journal.
Abstract: Since the mid-1960s when the forms of curved shell finite elements were originated, including those pioneered by Professor Gallagher, the published literature on the subject has grown extensively. The first two present authors and Liaw presented a survey of such literature in 1990 in this journal. Professor Gallagher maintained an active interest in this subject during his entire academic career, publishing milestone research works and providing periodic reviews of the literature. In this paper, we endeavor to summarize the important literature on shell finite elements over the past 15 years. It is hoped that this will be a befitting tribute to the pioneering achievements and sustained legacy of our beloved Professor Gallagher in the area of shell finite elements. This survey includes: the degenerated shell approach; stress-resultant-based formulations and Cosserat surface approach; reduced integration with stabilization; incompatible modes approach; enhanced strain formulations; 3-D elasticity elements; drilling d.o.f. elements; co-rotational approach; and higher-order theories for composites. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
277 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of the finite element method in the development of an improved 33-inch railroad wheel that has been introduced into service is discussed and the elastic stresses resulting from the thermal and mechanical loads are presented for an existing wheel design and for the new wheel design.
Abstract: The use of the finite element method in the development of an improved 33-inch (.838 m) railroad wheel that has been introduced into service is discussed. Calculated elastic stresses resulting from the thermal and mechanical loads are presented for an existing wheel design and for the new wheel design. Validation of the calculated stresses by experimental data developed on a railroad dynamometer. Drag test data for the new wheel design is compared to historical data.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors calculate the stresses of a wheel with the finite element method and establish a general calculation method for the wheel's stresses, and the results of calculation show good agreement with experiments.
Abstract: Reactions between the wheel and the rail have a great effect on the strength of the railroad wheel. These forces comprise a vertical force acting on the tread of wheel and a lateral force onto the flange, and they induce high stresses on the wheel disc. Those stresses fluctuate in accordance with the rotation of wheel and cause principally the fatigue of wheel disc. However, it is usually very difficult to analyze those stresses exactly because of the specific intricate contour of wheel. the authors then calculate the stresses with the finite element method, and try to establish a general calculation method for stresses of the wheel. Results of calculation show good agreement with experiments.
5 citations
01 Jan 1978
4 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a 33-inch (840 m) wheel in response to static rail loadings is presented on the basis of experimental work and theoretical predictions, and the theoretical predictions are verified by experiment.
Abstract: Stresses in a 33-inch (.840 m) railroad car wheel in response to static rail loadings are presented on the basis of experimental work and theoretical predictions. In regions away from the contact area, the theoretical predictions are verified by experiment. The rail load stresses are compared to theoretically damaging thermal loads, and a possible method of analysis of fatigue damage from the combined loading is discussed.
4 citations
01 Jan 1978
2 citations