Fatigue load spectrum generation of Indonesian high-speed trains

Abstract

The high-speed trains designed and constructed in Indonesia will use Aluminum alloy Al 6061-T6 as a structural material. Aluminum alloys are prone to fatigue failure due to the absence of endurance limit of the material, hence fatigue life prediction has to be carried out. Fatigue cracks could initiate at the defects of welded joints. Analyzing the fatigue load spectrum of critical locations in the train structures is crucial to predicting fatigue life. These critical locations are selected from areas with high static stress and stress concentration. The loads are analyzed using the multibody dynamic with rigid body assumptions and track roughness following UIC Standard Code 518. The finite element method is used to calculate the stresses from the loads generated by the multibody dynamic. The load sequence is further analyzed with rainflow counting method, and the load exceedance curve can be constructed. Finally, the Miner Linear Cumulative Damage Model is used to predict fatigue life.