Objective
Design of rolling-stock is facing new severe specifications, due to the increased severity of the train mission: some cases of unusual service failures have recently occurred to the wheel set (the axle-wheels assembly), with a remarkable impact on train safety. Moreover, to enhance the environment quality nearby the rail net, the need of reducing the radiated noise is recognised, for which the wheel rail contact noise is highly responsible. Therefore, the aim of the projects the development of an innovative wheel set having outstanding safety and low noise performances. The wheel set design will be based on integrated CAE methodologies, implementing tools for vibro-acoustic and durability analysis specifically developed within this project. Relevant deliverables of the project will be full-scale demonstrators showing significant weight reductions and satisfying both safety and low noise requirements.