Fatigue failure analysis of high strength bolts used for high-speed railway vehicle braking discs. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Xunliang; Lu, Liantao; Zeng, Dongfang
• Is Part Of: Engineering failure analysis. Volume 115(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: High strength bolts -- Fatigue failure -- Failure analysis -- Finite element analysis; System failures (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Pannes -- Périodiques; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Reliability (Engineering); System failures (Engineering); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.104661
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-6307

Abstract

Highlights: High strength bolts used for braking discs failed prematurely. Physical and chemical analysis results show no material defects. The high stress induced by transverse loading is the reason to the bolt failure. Remedies have been proposed to avoid further failures. Abstract: This paper presents a fatigue failure analysis of high strength bolts used for braking disc of Chinese high speed railway vehicle. First of all, a set of physical and chemical analysis were conducted. The results show material properties meet all the requirements. Furthermore, combined with the field test results of vibrations of the braking disc, a finite element analysis including the whole braking disc structure and bolts were performed to determine the relative movement between the disc and hub. Then, a refined sub-model of the bolt and nut was performed to get the accurate stress states of the thread root region. Finally, a fatigue damage parameter was employed to compare the damage induced by vibration with the endurance limit of the bolt. It is found the main reason leading to premature bolt failure is the high level of vertical vibrations of the braking disc due to the worn wheels. This high level of vertical vibrations induce transverse fatigue loadings onto the bolt which is beyond the fatigue limit.