Rail integrity lab opens to tackle wear, vibration and load stress

The Christian Doppler Laboratory for Structural Integrity in Rail Vehicle Design has opened at Graz University of Technology in Austria to address the challenges of mechanical stress, wear, vibration, and load on rail vehicles. Funded by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, the lab aims to develop scientific methods that enable the creation of safer, lighter, and longer-lasting rail cars and locomotives. This initiative supports Austria’s broader industrial strategy by advancing energy efficiency, climate action, and technological sovereignty in rail transport, which is considered a critical component of the nation’s mobility and infrastructure policy. The laboratory’s research is divided into two main modules. The first focuses on the fatigue strength of welded steel structures in vehicle frames and lightweight wheelset axles, analyzing how materials and manufacturing processes impact durability under complex, real-world load conditions. The second module investigates the structural integrity and dynamic behavior of brake systems, particularly friction-induced vibrations, using simulations and experimental testing on an advanced brake test rig. Both modules integrate vibration