Zbornik radova Koridor 10 - Kirilo Savić

3rd International Scientific and Professional Conference
CORRIDOR 10 - a sustainable way of integrations
In contrast to this, the higher values of traction coefficient which are obtained in relatively sharp
curves, or relatively shallow curves and tangent track (due to adverse vehicle dynamics, such as
hunting) or at lower axle loads, lead to considerable increases in the resultant maximum shear stress
and also a shift in the location of the maximum shear stress closer to the rail surface, where the
checking cracks initiate (Figure 12).
There are differences in the general growth characteristics of the checking and shelling cracks. The
main reason for the difference is the work hardening of the rail steel which occurs due to the plastic
deformation of the rail material, particularly at the higher axle loads (Figure 13).
FIGURE 10. Influence of wheel load on contact shear stresses [5]
FIGURE 11. Influence of rail crown radius on contact shear stress [5]
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