Longitudinal Impact Forces at 3 Piece Bogie Center Bearings

The research has simulated the forces experienced at the center bowl from a longitudinal train dynamic for cylindrical type bogie center bearings. Results show all but the lightest longitudinal train dynamics generate impact loads at the center bowl for empty wagons. Bolster pitching during such events gives rise to point contact loads being experienced by the materials of the center bowl and top center potentially failing plastic liners and damaging metallic liners. Vertical rim friction forces during impact against the rim wall are a significant factor in generating point loads on the center bowl plate surface. The shear loads from rim friction are likely to be the primary factor in causing broken rim failures in plastic bowl liners. Increasing the center bearing diameter was shown to increase contact loads against the rim wall without significantly lowering the peak vertical point loads between the top center and bowl liner.