Design of a Lightweight Multifunctional Composite Railway Axle Utilising Coaxial Skins

The rising economic and environmental pressures associated with the generation consumption of energy necessitates need for lightweighting railway vehicles. axle is a prime candidate unsprung mass. reduction mass correlates to reduced track damage, total operating costs. This paper presents design lightweight multifunctional hybrid metallic-composite utilising coaxial skins. assembly comprises carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite tube steel stub axles bonded into either end. structural surrounded by skins each performing specific function meet secondary requirements. A parametric sizing study conducted explore sensitivity parameters interaction through adhesive joint. optimised consist a; outer diameter 225 mm, thickness 7 extension 10 mm bond overlap length 100 mm. concept has 200 kg representing 50% over solid version.