Estimation of Rail Wear Limits Based on Rail Strength Investigations

Jeong, David Y.; Tang, Yim H.; Orringer, O.

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Estimation of Rail Wear Limits Based on Rail Strength Investigations

1998-12-01
By Jeong, David Y. ; Tang, Yim H. ; Orringer, O.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Jeong, David Y. ; Tang, Yim H. ; Orringer, O.
Corporate Contributors:

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Subject/TRT Terms:
Publication/ Report Number:

DOT-VNTSC-FRA-98-13 ; DOT/FRA/ORD-98/07
Resource Type:

Research Paper
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Corporate Publisher:

United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Abstract:

This report describes analyses performed to estimate limits on rail wear based on strength investigations. Two different failure modes are considered in this report: (1) permanent plastic bending, and (2) rail fracture. Rail bending stresses are calculated using the classical theory of beams on elastic foundation. The effect of wear is modeled as a geometric change of the rail section due to loss of material from wear. Two different wear patterns are examined: (1) vertical railhead height loss, and (2) gage-face wear from the side of the rail (referred to as gage-face side wear). An elementary plastic-collapse criterion is used to estimate wear limits based on failure by means of rail bending. An approximate method that was previously developed to analyze the growth of internal transverse defects is also applied to estimate wear limits on the basis of fracture strength. These analyses reveal that rail-wear limits estimated with the fracture-mechanics approach are more restrictive (i.e., conservative) than those based on the plastic-bending approach. Therefore, for safe operations on railroad tracks, allowable rail-wear limits should be estimated on the basis of fracture strength.
Format:

PDF
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8450/dot_8450_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 171.98 KB]
Collection(s):

Volpe Center ; Federal Railroad Administration
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:472a520f03e3649e4f3ce80bb6860d25a61e2e0f2c5e2bd69284825c049e334c

File Language:

English

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