Wheels - Failure analysis in accordance with EN 50126 - RAMS demonstration of the safety of a new wagon - braking concept

As part of efforts to optimise wheels and brake blocks, composite brake blocks were introduced for use in freight traffic, on condition that they ensured at least the same level of safety and reliability as cast iron blocks, i.e. the newly-developed technology was expected to meet the same safety standard as the technology used to date.

Compliance with this requirement for the new “composite brake block braking system” is to be demonstrated on the basis of EN 50126 and the composite brake block braking system is to be described, with an analysis of safety and weak points also to be produced including measures (still to be defined).

The work described in this report concluded that using brakes with K blocks carried risks, but that this did not increase the level of risk overall. Following the conclusion of FMECA work, the risks were assessed and the requisite remedial measures examined and documented in this report.

This demonstrated that the use of composite brake blocks brings with it no increase in the level of risk.