One of possible approaches to estimating the service life of a wheel set axle of high-speed rolling stock

One of methodological approaches to estimating the service life of a wheel set axle of high-speed multiple units with the determination of a stress-strain state of axles of motored and non-motored wheel sets on the operation route St. Petersburg – Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod is provided. According to the current methodology, a design estimate of the service life of the most loaded axle of the non-motored wheel set is performed. The current design estimate is performed taking into account results of bench fatigue tests carried out using the method of the axle rotational bending in compliance with requirements of regulatory documents GOST 11018, GOST 31373 and GOST 33783. In the service life design estimate, stress amplitudes in axles obtained from the results of running tests of high-speed multiple units are also taken into account. In conclusion, the recommendation is offered for establishing the axle specified life time.