Rail wheel removal and its implication on track life: A fracture mechanics approach

Wheel/rail forces generated by wheel defects is known to be one of the contributing factors to track failure. Current strategy of removing wheels from service is dependent on the magnitude of the impact forces generated by these defects. These impact forces are estimated with wheel impact monitor established along a section of the railway track. This is also known as wayside monitoring. The impact load levels recorded by these monitors are recorded and the wheels that generate impact loads above a stated level (e.g. 400 kN) will be removed from service for maintenance. The question one poses is “What if the impact force generated by a given wheel is just below this level and stays at this level for extended period of time?” Will this, e.g. 380 kN, impact force do as much damage to the track as a 400 kN impact force if it is allowed in service? What are the implications of allowing a wheel that generate a seemingly acceptable level of 250 kN impact load to remain in service for extended period of time? In an attempt to answer these questions, a series of investigations were carried out to investigate the effect of impact loads on the propagation of a Vertical Split Head (VSH) defect found in the head of a 50 kg/m rail.