EVERGREEN

Joint Journal of Novel Carbon Resource Sciences and Green Asia Strategy

ISSN:2189-0420 (Print until Mar 2020)
ISSN:2432-5953 (Online)

SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Open Access
Scopus
Google Scholar
Crossref
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
4.3
2024CiteScore
 
69th percentile
Powered by Scopus
Metrics by SCOPUS 2024
CiteScore
4.3
SJR
0.391
SNIP
1.192


Finite Element-Based Optimization of Weld Joint Locations in Passenger Train Carbodies

Priyambodo Nur Ardi Nugroho1,*, Agus Sasmito2, Mochammad Karim Al Amin1, Desrilia Nursyifaulkhair1, Gilang Cempaka Kusuma2, Irfan Eko Sandjaja2, Nandiko Rizal2, Totok Triputrastyo M2, Rudias Harmadi2, Nurcholis2
1Politeknik Perkapalan Negeri Surabaya (PPNS), Jl. Teknik Kimia, Keputih, Kec. Sukolilo, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60111, Indonesia
2Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (National Research and Innovation Agency), Jl. Hidro Dinamika, Keputih, Kec. Sukolilo, Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60112, Indonesia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
E-mail: priyambodo@ppns.ac.id (PNAN)
Received: May 20, 2025 | Revised: January 21, 2026 | Accepted: April 28, 2026 | Published: June 2026
Abstract
This study aims to determine the optimal placement of welding joints on a passenger train carbody using Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The carbody was modeled in detail and analyzed under two primary loading scenarios: a 1000 kN compressive load and a uniformly distributed vertical load. The simulation revealed that the highest von Mises stress values occur near the center pivot and midspan regions, reaching approximately 246.91 MPa and 164 MPa, respectively. Maximum deformation was observed at the midspan, around 34.161 mm. In contrast, regions between the bolster and midspan showed significantly lower stress levels (0–82.3 MPa) and minimal deformation, indicating these areas are suitable for weld joint placement. By avoiding high-stress and high-deformation zones, the proposed approach contributes to improving fatigue resistance and extending the service life of the carbody structure.
Keywords
Finite element analysis; Stress distribution; Structural durability; Train carbody structure; Weld joint placement
Available Repositories
Share Article
Article Metrics
--
Views
--
Downloads
--
Citations
Full Text
Download PDF
References
  1. 1) E. Bajramović, and F. Islamović, "Assessment of integrity and remaining working life of welded steel structures," IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., 1208 (1) 012011 (2021) doi:10.1088/1757-899x/1208/1/012011
  2. 2) M. Sigmund, and J. Spichal, "Possibilities of reducing the number of welds on rail vehicle doors," Sci. Rep., 12 (1) (2022) doi:10.1038/s41598-022-20837-w
  3. 3) P.K. Sen, M. Bhiwapurkar, and S.P. Harsha, "Estimation of fatigue life parameters of an Alumino Thermic weld on UIC60 rail joint using LEFM," in: J. Phys. Conf. Ser., IOP Publishing Ltd, 2021 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/2115/1/012051
  4. 4) H.D. Salman, A. Kamil Sebur, E. Obeid Hassoun, M.K. Sagdatullin, and H. Abdulaziz Abrahem, "Modeling finite element for stress state calculation in combined structures," in: IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., Institute of Physics Publishing, 2020 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012063
  5. 5) R.R. Patel, D. Valles, G.A. Riveros, D.S. Thompson, E.J. Perkins, J.J. Hoover, J.F. Peters, and A. Tordesillas, "Stress flow analysis of bio-structures using the finite element method and the flow network approach," Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 152 46-54 (2018) doi:10.1016/j.finel.2018.09.003
  6. 6) Z. Virág, and S. Szirbik, "Modal analysis of optimized trapezoidal stiffened plates under lateral pressure and uniaxial compression," Applied Mechanics, 2 (4) 681-693 (2021) doi:10.3390/applmech2040039
  7. 7) K. Hemmesi, and M. Farajian, "Numerical Welding Simulation as a Basis for Structural Integrity Assessment of Structures: Microstructure and Residual Stresses," in: Residual Stress Analysis on Welded Joints by Means of Numerical Simulation and Experiments, InTech, 2018 doi:10.5772/intechopen.74466
  8. 8) G. Posch, V. Holtsinger, and S.L. Bychkovskii, "Welding of railway wagons: tasks in the area of materials, processes and automation," Welding International, 29 (3) 213-218 (2015) doi:10.1080/09507116.2014.911416
  9. 9) C.T. Ng, C.M. Sonsino, and L. Susmel, "Multiaxial fatigue assessment of welded joints: a review of eurocode 3 and international institute of welding criteria with different stress analysis approaches," Fatigue Fract. Eng. Mater. Struct., 47 (7) 2616-2649 (2024) doi:10.1111/ffe.14319
  10. 10) Mahmood. Aliofkhazraei, and A.S.Hamdy. Makhlouf, "Handbook of materials failure analysis with case studies from the aerospace and automotive industries," Butterworth-Heinemann, 2016
  11. 11) G. Dima, and I. Balcu, "The influence of the path of corner gussets weld seam over the stress concentration factors of the tubular t joints," Adv. Mat. Res., 1111 67-72 (2015) doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1111.67
  12. 12) T.A. Netto, M. Igor Lourenço, and B. Adriana Botto, "FATIGUE PERFORMANCE OF REELED RISERS," 2004. http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use
  13. 13) M. Matsimbi, P.K. Nziu, L.M. Masu, and M. Maringa, "Topology Optimization of Automotive Body Structures: A review," 2020. http://www.irphouse.com
  14. 14) A. Esderts, J. Willen, and M. Kassner, "Fatigue strength analysis of welded joints in closed steel sections in rail vehicles," Int. J. Fatigue, 34 (1) 112-121 (2012) doi:10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2011.06.007
  15. 15) Y. Kato, M. Takagaki, and T. Yagi, "Design of Car Body by the Method of Structural Optimization," 2018
  16. 16) P. Lacki, and A. Derlatka, "Experimental and numerical investigation of aluminium lap joints made by rfssw," Meccanica, 51 (2) 455-462 (2016) doi:10.1007/s11012-015-0317-7
  17. 17) P. Livieri, and R. Tovo, "Optimization of welded joints under fatigue loadings," Metals (Basel)., 14 (6) (2024) doi:10.3390/met14060613
  18. 18) K. Lipiäinen, A. Ahola, T. Skriko, and T. Björk, "Fatigue strength characterization of high and ultra-high-strength steel cut edges," Eng. Struct., 228 (2021) doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111544
  19. 19) E.W. Pradana, K. Tateishi, T. Hanji, and M. Shimizu, "Fatigue life evaluation of root failure in welded joints based on displacement around the weld root," Welding in the World, (2025) doi:10.1007/s40194-025-02293-y
  20. 20) J. Schubnell, M. Burdack, N. Hiltscher, P. Weidner, T. Ummenhofer, and M. Farajian, "Fatigue performance of repair-welded and hfmi-treated transverse stiffeners," Welding in the World, 69 (1) 199-211 (2025) doi:10.1007/s40194-024-01859-6
  21. 21) A. Sasmito, Y. Irawadi, and H. Soebagyo, "Analisys of welding crack on the under frame of wagon for cement bags transportation using euro code, measurement and finite element," MATEC Web of Conferences, 269 03003 (2019) doi:10.1051/matecconf/201926903003
  22. 22) Mathweb, "ASTM a36 steel properties," (2025). https://www.matweb.com/search/datasheet.aspx?MatGUID=afc003f4fb40465fa3df05129f0e88e6 (accessed January 20, 2025)
  23. 23) M.A. Carolina, P. Marcela, and M. Pedro, "Stress analysis on a ‘l’ shape truss optimization," International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science, 4 (10) 103-105 (2017) doi:10.22161/ijaers.4.10.17
  24. 24) A.G. Diwan, and Y.S. Mahajan, "Study of the effect of various parameters on the result of stress analysis obtained using tetrahedral and hexahedral mesh elements," Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, Transactions of the Chinese Institute of Engineers,Series A, 40 (2) 101-109 (2017) doi:10.1080/02533839.2017.1287596
  25. 25) H. Nakamura, S. Tajima, O. Hazama, and W. Gu, "Automated Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analyses Based on Three-Dimensional Finite Element for Welding Components," 2014. http://asme.org/terms
  26. 26) M.A. Zulkifli, K.S. Basaruddin, Y. Abdul Rahim, M. Afendi, P. Gurubaran, and I. Ibrahim, "Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis on Railway Rail," in: IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., Institute of Physics Publishing, 2018 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/429/1/012010
  27. 27) D. Thombare, A. Shinde, and M. Tech, "Finite Element Method for Stress Analysis of Passenger Car Floor," 2014. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264992428
  28. 28) J.P. Srivastava, P.K. Sarkar, and V. Ranjan, "Contact stress analysis in wheel–rail by hertzian method and finite element method," Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series C, 95 (4) 319-325 (2014) doi:10.1007/s40032-014-0145-x
  29. 29) M. Jukowski, J. Bȩc, and A. Zbiciak, "Finite element analysis of train speed effect on dynamic response of steel bridge," Open Engineering, 11 (1) 1122-1133 (2021) doi:10.1515/eng-2021-0114
  30. 30) M.R. Aalami, A. Anari, T. Shafighfard, and S. Talatahari, "A robust finite element analysis of the rail-wheel rolling contact," Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2013 (2013) doi:10.1155/2013/272350
  31. 31) BS EN 12663-1:2010, "Railway applications-Structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies-Part 1: Locomotives and passenger rolling stock and alternative method for freight wagons," 2023. https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/41dccabd-e420-45b5-baf7-d0a12db3c5c9/sist-en-12663-1-2010a2-2024
  32. 32) L.A. Morscheck, and J.J. Roller, "Stress testing of a new north american passenger locomotive truck frame in accordance with international union of railways (uic) code," 2013. http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use
  33. 33) R.C. Ariesta, A. Zubaydi, A. Ismail, and T. Tuswan, "Damage evaluation of sandwich material on side plate hull using experimental modal analysis," in: Mater. Today Proc., Elsevier Ltd, 2021: pp. 2310-2314 doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.293
  34. 34) M.S. Akbar, A.R. Prabowo, D.D.D.P. Tjahjana, and T. Tuswan, "Analysis of plated-hull structure strength against hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads: a case study of 600 teu container ships," J. Mech. Behav. Mater., 30 (1) 237-248 (2021) doi:10.1515/jmbm-2021-0025
  35. 35) W. Jo, I. Woo, Y. Mikami, and G. An, "Residual stress characteristics in spot weld joints of high-strength steel: influence of welding parameters," Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 14 (24) (2024) doi:10.3390/app142411971
  36. 36) "EN 1993-1-2: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures - Part 1-2: General rules - Structural fire design," 1993
  37. 37) T. Skriko, K. Lipiäinen, A. Ahola, H. Mettänen, and T. Björk, "Fatigue strength of longitudinal load-carrying welds in beams made of ultra-high-strength steel," J. Constr. Steel Res., 179 (2021) doi:10.1016/j.jcsr.2021.106563
  38. 38) N. Nasir, M. Khairul, A.A. Razab, and S. Mamat, "Review on Welding Residual Stress," 2016. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303788758