Experimental Characterization of the Dynamic Compressive Properties of Railway Wheel Steel

Abstract

The dynamic compressive mechanical behavior of railway wheel steel at room temperature was investigated experimentally for strain rates up to ~2300/s, by using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. Experimental results indicate that the wheel steel exhibits an obvious strain rate-dependence; both yield strength and flow stress enhance with the increase of strain rate. Based on experimental data, an empirical dynamic constitutive model was used to describe the strain rate effect of wheel steel. These research results could provide reliable and accurate material constitutive parameters for wheel-rail impact simulations, to guide the design and assessment of the safety of the wheel-rail system.