Numerical investigation on the fracture failure of a railway axle. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giannella, V.; Sepe, R.; Borrelli, A.; De Michele, G.; Armentani, E.
• Is Part Of: Engineering failure analysis. Volume 129(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Railway axle -- Fracture -- Fatigue crack-growth -- Non-Destructive Testing -- 30NiCrMoV12; 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.2021.105680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-6307

Abstract

Highlights: An investigation on the failure of a railway axle is presented. Crack-growth propagation was simulated by using two numerical codes. A loading spectrum and a NDT inspection method were taken into account in calculations. A NASGRO crack-growth law was calibrated for the life assessment of the axle. Critical crack depths and probabilities of failure were derived wrt inspection intervals. Abstract: Railway axles are designed to be highly reliable so as to ensure even more than 30 years of service. Even though they are periodically inspected by scheduled Non Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections to detect the potential initiation of cracks, failures with disastrous consequences for railway vehicles and human beings can occur. This paper reports an investigation concerning the failure of an axle of a passenger coach due to fatigue crack propagation. Calculations indicated that the need for reliable NDT inspection methods is of crucial importance for the upfront detection of potentially critical cracks. The presented investigation was useful to support the application of the crack propagation simulation for the determination of reliable axle NDT inspection intervals so as to prevent future accidents.