| Abstract | Rolling contact fatigue (RCF) is a problem for most railways, heavy or light axle load, slow or high
speed. A practical strategy for controlling RCF is discussed based on a multi-pronged approach of increasing
component resistance to initiation and propagation of RCF, reducing applied stresses that cause RCF, and
providing a maintenance regime for both controlling RCF and managing the risk associated with rail or wheel
failure due to RCF. RCF is influenced by, and can be controlled by improvements to, the wheel profiles, rail
profiles, wheel and rail metallurgy, gauge-face and top-of-rail friction coefficients, track geometry standards, and
rolling stock characteristics. Mitigation can include wholesale changes to one parameter or selective and more
modest changes to several parameters. Since RCF is a threshold phenomena, even a small reduction in the
stresses, or modest increase in the strength of the component, can dramatically reduce the number of contact
cycles that promote fatigue. For any given railway, the most appropriate approach to controlling fatigue will
depend on its specific operating and maintenance strategies. |
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