Developing Linear-Elastic Material Models for Pressure Measurement Films in Steel–Steel and Wheel–Rail Contact

Abstract

The contact between two steel components can be identified by using multiple methods, for example, by experiment using pressure measurement films or by computational simulations with finite element analysis (FEA). For FEA material models of all components are required. When the experimental setup of an implemented pressure measurement film is reproduced simulatively, material models for the films are also necessary. Here, we developed linear-elastic material models for pressure measurement films which allow to simulate steel-film-steel contact situations. The material models were developed for Hertzian contact situations and afterward validated for the non-Hertzian wheel-rail contact. It was possible to develop material models for two different pressure measurement film types. In the case of a third film type, the developed model could not be validated successfully.