Case Study: Improving Train Wheel Lifespan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBlheSDrc2o
Overview
Forced vibration in train wheels reduces overall lifetime and increases the amount of maintenance required for both the wheel and the track. The Dynamics and Applied Mechanics Lab (DAL) and LB Foster are collaborating to decrease maintenance costs over the lifetime of train wheels and tracks.
Forced vibrations increase the local stress in the wheel, thus accelerating creep and lowering lifetime. Each year, train wheels undergo millions of vibrational cycles, which repeatedly cause damage. Optimising the wheel vibrational response is one of the main solutions to improve lifetime and product quality, and reduce lifetime cost.
Funding
This project is funded by NSERC and LB Foster.
Solution
Dr. Phani and his team are designing a solid lubrication film that reduces friction and optimises the vibrational response of the train wheels. The solution is approached through both experimental setup and computer simulations. Multiple experiments are set up to test the design constraints, and the results are then processed using numerical methods. Iterating this process allows the research team to find high vibrational outputs to optimise the natural frequency response.
Results
Practical set-ups have allowed the group to define possible design solutions. The project is on track and a commercially-viable solution is expected within 1 to 2 years.
The Lab: Dynamics and Applied Mechanics Lab
The DAL lab’s interests are centered on applying principles of solid mechanics and dynamics to a wide range of interdisciplinary engineering problems. The lab is interested in fundamental and applied research with direct application to industry, and frequently works with transportation companies.
The lab is establishing an internationally competitive research group in applied mechanics and dynamics research in the context of:
- Novel Materials Structures
- Aerospace
- MEMS
- Nanosystems
- Biomedical Systems