Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
10-2024
Abstract
Continuous welded rail (CWR) is increasingly adopted to replace jointed track due to its superior ride quality, extended fatigue life, and reduced maintenance costs. However, the absence of joints introduces challenges, such as thermal expansion-related track buckling. Maintaining the Rail Neutral Temperature (RNT) is essential for managing rail stresses and preventing these failures. Rail anchors are employed to distribute loads from rails to ties. The rail anchors enhance longitudinal track resistance by minimizing the rail’s longitudinal movement. These anchors are crucial for managing the RNT, ultimately contributing to the prevention of rail buckling and the reinforcement of the track structure. Improving resistance to buckling is vital for minimizing derailments and enhancing railway safety. Despite their significance, there have been very few studies on the interaction between anchors and rail. For this study, a full-scale modified Track Panel Push Test (TPPT) setup was designed and fabricated to model a single rail. The modified TPPT setup was then used to examine the impact of rail anchors on track longitudinal resistance. The results indicate that rail anchors significantly improve longitudinal resistance and reduce rail movement, thereby enhancing track stability. However, the effectiveness of the anchors decreases with each load application and increasing load, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in the design and maintenance of rail anchor systems.
Recommended Citation
Rahmaninezhad, S.M. et al. (2024) Rail Anchor Slip Force Testing. UTCRS-UTRGV-I6CY23. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Available at: https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78510
