Application of the Failure Assessment Diagram approach for contact fatigue damage evaluation in railway wheel steels

A Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD), developed for rolling contact, was specifically formulated railway wheel steels. The FAD allows combining a multiaxial fatigue criterion with the linear elastic fracture mechanics concept; in particular, it used to assess failure wet related pressurization of fluid entrapped surface cracks. approach applied results previous bi-disc tests carried out on three steels, subjected first dry rolling-sliding contact step, then step. crack size distribution after step evaluated by statistical approach; subsequently, stress intensity factor during estimated finite elements. agreed damage observed cross section specimens at end tests. Furthermore, determine maximum allowable prevent fatigue, this way showing its potential as tolerant approach.