Author(s)

YiFan Yang¹, LinHua Fan², ZhengGang Lu^1*

Affiliation(s)

¹School of Transportation, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China.

²Shanghai United Bearing Co.,Ltd, Shanghai 201800, China.

Corresponding Author

ZhengGang Lu

ABSTRACT

Considering the nonlinear characteristics of tapered roller bearings, a coupled dynamic model of a metro vehicle and axle box bearings is established. Based on actual track geometry and train operational schedules, the dynamic force on the axle box bearings are simulated and analyzed under full working conditions, including traction, braking, negotiation of curves with different radii, and straight-line running. The simulation results indicate that compared to traditional vehicle dynamics models, the differences in bearing dynamic force predicted by this coupled model are mainly concentrated above 100 Hz.  According to the train operational loads and track characteristics, a full life-cycle dynamic load spectrum for the axle box bearings is constructed. Using this load spectrum and a rolling contact finite element model of the bearing, the dynamic stress spectra at critical nodes of each bearing component are analyzed, followed by an assessment of their fatigue life. The computational results show that, compared to traditional L-P method-based fatigue life calculations using rated dynamic force derived from axle weights, the proposed method—which evaluates bearing fatigue life based on actual application conditions—aligns more closely with reality. This approach can provide more accurate data support for the residual life assessment and maintenance strategy formulation of metro axle box bearings.

KEYWORDS

Metro axlebox bearing; Vehicle-bearing coupled dynamics; Dynamic load spectrum; Fatigue life

CITE THIS PAPER

YiFan Yang, LinHua Fan, ZhengGang Lu. Fatigue life analysis of metro axlebox bearings based on a vehicle-bearing coupled dynamics model. Eurasia Journal of Science and Technology. 2026, 8(1): 15-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/ejst3130.

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