Work

The aim of the research is to create theoretical and experimental bases for residual life estimation of the freight wagon side frame taking into account cracks presence, geometric concentrators of mechanical stresses, work loading stochastic nature and operational factors impact on material mechanical properties. The development of such a methodology involves both theoretical and experimental studies of the fatigue crack growth in potentially dangerous areas of the side frame of freight wagon three-element bogie. The theoretical part of the work is to build calculated mathematical models of fatigue cracking, based on the energy approach of fracture mechanics. Experimental studies will involve the use of the method of acoustic emission (AE) and ultrasonic (US) method to determine exploited material physical and mechanical parameters and defect sizes. As a result of theoretical and experimental research a completely new model for subcritical period determination of fatigue crack growth in the metal of the freight wagon side frame will be developed, which will be the basis for the method of side frame residual life estimation.