Computational and experimental methods of assessing the useful life of basic rolling stock components
Objective: To develop methods for determining, assigning and extending the service life of railway rolling stock according to the useful life of critical components of its supporting structures using the main frame and bogie frame of a TEM2 diesel locomotive as an example; to solve the problem of safe operation of rolling stock (including items with expired design service life) based on the computational and experimental assessment of the useful life of basic components with respect to strength, stiffness, and fatigue strength criteria. Methods: The useful (service) life of the rolling stock has been estimated with respect to probabilistic parameters of its strength and loading using a method that is based on the concept of “safe operation of an object according to its technical condition” and involves developing and applying useful life indicators to assess the technical condition and durability of supporting structures. Results: The relevance of the reasonable determination of the design service life of rolling stock in accordance with the technical regulations and regulatory documentation was shown. The approach to solving the stated problem was presented using experimental data obtained in full-scale tests. Practical importance: The validity of this approach was shown; the criteria were indicated, and the algorithm was described for the computational and experimental useful life assessment. Based on the computational and experimental methods of the stress-strain analysis of the bogie frame and the main frame of a diesel locomotive, and using the accumulated operational data, an approach was developed to assess and predict the technical condition of rolling stock and ensure its safe operation over a given period based on the useful life of basic supporting structures.