Stresses in a Bogie Frame of a Rail Carriage

The paper presents a comparative study regarding the distribution of stresses and strains in a bogie frame, a prototype used in plants for the transportation of liquid cast iron, for a case of loading corresponding to common working operating conditions. The results of a numerical analysis carried out using the three-dimensional finite element method and those of an experimental study using the strain gauge technique were compared. Agreement between calculated and measured results obtained was good and areas of the bogie frame with maximum stress were predicted with reasonable accuracy. Knowing the most dangerous stress concentration zones, a new design optimization process could be accelerated without becoming unreliable, ensuring thus a safe transportation of cast iron by rail.