INNOTRACK Deliverable 4.2.3 -- Improved model for loading and subsequent deterioration of insulated joints

TL;DRAbstract

Numerical simulations have been carried out to assess the influence of key parameters on the deterioration of insulated joints. The measures of fatigue damage were adopted; one low-cycle fatigue based and one ratcheting based. Both of these models are based on the stress–strain evolution, which consequently needs to be accurately modelled. This calls for a constitutive model that can deal with plasticity under general multi- axial loading. In the current study the material parameters in the constitutive model have been calibrated to reflect the characteristics of the rail steel grade 900A.The simulations verify previous findings that the insulating layer does not carry any significant load. Consequently severe strains occur at the rail head edge. The ratcheting based fatigue criterion was found to be the most suitable for the current study and the accumulated plastic strain after four load passages, εeff, was adopted to quantify the ratcheting. The numerical simulations showed that inc

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