Analysis of Low Cycle Liner Flange Fatigue in Locomotive Engines

In locomotive diesel engines the cracking of the flange of the cylinder liner is well known as a cause of failure. As a result of installing a new engine in an older type locomotive of the OBB (Austrian Federal Railways, locomotive type 2143) by Simmering-Graz-Pauker AG (SGP), and after running distances up to 250,000 km individual cases of liner flange cracks occurred that were not explainable prior to detailed measurements. Through the take-over of this particular engine series by Jenbacher AG and the usage of this type of engine in another locomotive type (OBB type 2068), this problem was not experienced. As a result of the problems with the older type locomotive, the firms ECS, JAG and OBB carried out a mutual research project aimed at solving this problem. Besides FEA calculation methods, very complicated strain gauge measurements (in the fillet of the flange) were carried out on the locomotive during various operational modes and then analyzed. The cause was a low cycle fatigue brought about primarily by the particular type of cooling system in combination with the very stiff construction of the crankcase. This publication focuses especially on the transient load of locomotive operation affecting the stress of the liner flange.Copyright © 2002 by ASME