An Analytic Study on the Contact Stress and Thermal Stress of Rails

레일의 라체팅에 미치는 접촉응력 및 열응력에 대한 해석적 연구

Even though a constant repeated load is applied, plastic deformation may cumulate. This kind of behavior is called ratcheting. Ratcheting may lead to cracks and finally to failure of the rail. Usually ratcheting occurs on high rails in curves. Ratcheting is influenced by residual stresses, wheel-rail contact stresses, thermal stresses due to wheel/rail rolling contact, shear strength of the rail, strain hardening behavior, etc. In this study, contact stresses and thermal stresses are examined. It is found their value is considerable compared to the maximum contact pressure.