Modelling and simulation of effect of missed bolt on rail end joint by fem

The present study focused on the modelling and simulation of bolted rail joint using the finite element method. The effects of support conditions and missed bolt cases when the load was fixed at first bolt head, on the rail end vertical displacement, stress distribution at the bolt-hole and the upper fillet area under static loading condition are investigated. Preliminary results of the static wheel load showed that when the load is acting at first bolt-hole, the response of the rail-end joint varies, the rail vertical displacement and stresses on the rail upper fillet and stress on the bolt-hole were also varied. Therefore, the rail-end bolt-hole stress reaches its maximum when the wheel is directly above it which causes less stiffness and high deflection around the rail-end joint which showed the same overall trend of the result by other researchers for different loading, rail standard, stiffness and bolts used.