Improved criterion for surface initiated RCF (CHARMEC MU22)

Research Project, 2007 – 2021

Several CHARMEC projects have been (and are) related to rolling contact fatigue (RCF). They include projects where in-depth studies of influencing factors are carried out and projects where predictive models are developed. They also include projects where predictive models are being employed, or where overall effects of RCF are assessed and/or mitigated. The latter also relates to operational implementations where CHARMEC has been involved.

The aim of MU22 is to prevent knowledge and models etc from being fragmented. To this end the project aims at developing and improving engineering criteria for RCF prediction, but also to facilitate operational implementation of derived knowledge, predictive capabilities etc. Examples of applications are operational monitoring related to RCF, operational mitigation of RCF, and inclusion of RCF deterioration in LCC and RAMS analyses. The project will also support other CHARMEC projects (e g, MU31) dealing with RCF, and further provide expertise to projects where RCF is of interest but not a core topic of the project (or the researchers involved). The project includes interaction with research and industrial partners (within and outside CHARMEC) to uphold and develop a world leading competence in the field of RCF of railway wheels and rails.