NTL Record

Title Railcar Roller Bearing Failure Progression Tests
Record ID 48940
Personal Name
Creator
Waldron, Warren D.
Source 130p. in various pagings
Corporate
Contributor
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publication Date 19820401
Language English
Abstract This report describes the laboratory endurance test of six railcar roller bearings that had previously suffered physical damage or were otherwise degraded as a result of actual railroad service. Two different onboard impending bearing failure sensors were also physically evaluated. The objectives of the tests were to obtain a better understanding of the railcar roller bearing failure process(es), the manner in which bearing defects progress, and the effectiveness of the impending failure warning devices. A 150 hour test with 26,250 pounds radial load (equivalent full car load) at 528 rpm (equivalent to approximately 52 mph) was planned for each bearing. Only one bearing actually failed to complete the 140 hour test. All bearings exhibited further measurable degradation of defect progression during the course of the tests. Neither warning device actually gave warning of the one failure experienced.
Rosap ID dot:10427
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/10427
TRT Terms Railroad cars; Roller bearings; Warning systems; Defects; Equipment tests; Failure; Monitoring
Classification AGR - INFRASTRUCTURE - Railroads;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Planning and Policy;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DOT-TSC-1536
Report Number DOT-TSC-FRA-81-7; FRA/ORD-81/26; 79-TR-48
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/48000/48900/48940/DOT-TSC-FRA-81-07.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository