Numerical predictions of crack growth direction in a railhead under contact, bending and thermal loads

The effect of different operational loading scenarios on predicted crack growth direction for a propagating inclined railhead is assessed by 2D finite element simulations. Studied load include moving Hertzian contact load, temperature drop, rail bending due to passing wheelset, and combinations thereof. the unbiased propagation using an accumulative vector tip displacement criterion. numerical model validated individual scenarios. Restraints face locking are imposed threshold parameter, whose influence also assessed. For thermal loads, path found diverge gradually from transverse growth, corresponding pure loading, shallow load. combined there discrete jump in as increased while kept constant. These results well aligned with empirical experience.