Three-Dimensional Residual Stress Effects on the Fatigue Crack Initiation in Rails

Abstract

A rail is simulated as an elastic-plastic kinematic hardening steel having a T-shaped cross section and finite length in the rolling direction. The direct analysis method and the finite element method are combined to solve for the steady-state residual stress/strains and cyclic plastic strain amplitudes. In the present analysis, some special loading cases are investigated. Results show that tensile residual stresses occur deep in a rail head over a large area of the substrate. These phenomena, which are observed in rail steel after service, cannot be deduced from a half plane or half space analysis.