Abstract: Based on the typical service loads of railway wheel, the paper simulated the mechanical stress distribution under different service loads using finite element method. According to the linear elastic fracture mechanics theory, the stress intensity factor and T stress were also studied. At last, According to Paris fatigue crack propagation equation and the corresponding crack propagation threshold, the crack propagation characteristics and laws at the web plate under biaxial loads were obtained. The result showed that the crack propagation in the web plate was a typical fatigue damage. Under typical loads, the outside surface of the wheel is in compression and the inside surface is in tension. Inside and outside stresses at the web plat leds to the bending loading. Moreover, the circumferential components are proportional to the radial ones. The crack propagation rate is decreased due to the T stress.