Stresses Around Transverse Fissure Flaws in Rails Due to Service Loads

Abstract

The paper describes analysis related to cracks in rails using the finite element method. Attention has been focused on transverse fissure type of defects in railheads, although the approach is more generally applicable. Elastic stress intensity factors are calculated using the crack closure method and compared against values computed directly from node “opening” displacement. Analyses using idealized polynomial type of stress distributions for embedded cracks are viewed in the light of finite element results. A discussion of stresses that can occur in railheads with flaws for some load situations is included.