Ex-jobb: Modelling of Rolling Contact Fatigue on Wheelsets

Modelling of Rolling Contact Fatigue on Wheelsets

Background
Green Cargo is Sweden’s most experienced operator in rail logistics with roots in the origins of Swedish rail traffic. We deliver sustainable logistics solutions and are an important part of Scandinavia’s trade and industry. Over 98 percent of our transport operations are powered by fossil-free electricity. Every weekday, we run 350 freight trains and replace around 9,000 truck transports on the road network. In our network, we serve nearly 200 locations in Scandinavia and with partners we reach the whole of Europe. We have 1,750 employees, transport approximately 20 million tonnes of goods and have an annual turnover of SEK 4.2 billion (2024).

The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has installed wheel damage detectors along multiple track segments to identify out-of-round railway wheels and thereby reduce infrastructure damage. A force limit of 350 kN has been established, and exceeding this threshold results in significant costs for the operating company. Over the lifecycle of a wheelset, cyclic forces in the wheel–rail interface give rise to rolling contact fatigue (RCF) (Swedish: krosskador). This damage will increase the forces experienced in the wheel–rail interface.

Problem description, tasks, and goals
The objective of this project is to model the progression of rolling contact fatigue in railway wheels. By accurately describing and forecasting the development of such damage, it becomes possible to optimize wheelset utilization—maximizing service life while minimizing the risk of surpassing the 350 kN limit. The expected outcome is a data-driven decision support tool for maintenance planning and cost reduction.

The project is suited for M.Sc. students in Railway Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning, Computer Science, or related disciplines.

Applicants should have prior experience with Python or Matlab, and an interest in data analysis, modelling, and applied research in railway systems.

• Category to which this degree project corresponds the best:
• ☒ Digitalization, AI and Data Analytics
• Type of degree project
• ☒ Master (20 weeks)
• Language for the thesis ☒ Swedish and/or ☒ English

Is Swedish a language requirement?
☒ No, but Swedish is a requirement for future employment

Possibility to work from our office
☒ Yes

Contact person
Mattias Wang, Maintenance Engineer
mattias.wang@greencargo.com