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Assessment of Rail-Wheel Degradation & Operational Risks

Rail Wheel Degradation

Project Manager:

Prof. Gopinath Chattopadhyay

Sponsor Organisations:

Staff Members:

  • Vineet Varma

Objectives

The proposed research aims to develop a decision model based on predicted operational risks, with a view to establish economic strategies for lubrication and grinding, inspection and rail replacements.

Main objectives of this proposed project are:

  • Development of integrated wear-fatigue-lubrication models for predicting degradation for various curves, tonnage and traffic conditions
  • Development of economic models and risk analysis for informed strategic decisions related to rail/wheel maintenance

Background

Expected industry growth is projected to increase the annual rail freight task by 98.2 billion tonne-kilometres, or 52.9 per cent, to 283.8 billion tonne-kilometres in 2014/15. (Australian rail transport facts, Apelbaum, 2007) This is possible by advances in rail design, increased speed of the carriers, longer trains and heavier axle loads. Benefits, however, come with a cost due to increase in wear and fatigue in both wheel and rail.

Outcomes

  1. Integrated Wear-Fatigue-Lubrication Model
  2. Economic model for risk analysis and forecast
  3. Decision Support Modelling for Wear-Fatigue-Lubrication management