INVESTIGATION OF FAILURES IN CONTROL-COOLED RAIL

In the period between October 1, 1966 and October 1, 1967 there were seven failures in control-cooled rail, three service and four detected, investigated by the metallurgical laboratory of the AAR. Investigations 132-10A and B involved two rail specimens both having a detected transverse discontinuity in the head. These transverse discontinuities were detected by a detector car. Rail specimen 132-10A was identified as a 100-lb RE. This failure should be classified as a transverse fissure from hot torn steel. Rail specimen 132-10B was identified as a 132-lb RE. This failure should be classified as a detailed fracture from a shell. Investigations 132-12A and B involved two rail specimens both having a detected internal imperfection in the web. These internal imperfections were detected by a detector car and a hand test. Both rail specimens were identified as 132-lb RE. It was noted that both these rails have a pipe, and a non-metallic entrapment (slag) commonly associated with pipe, in the web. Investigation 135-16 involved a rail that failed in service. This rail was identified as a 112-lb RE. A photograph of the fractured faces showed a fatigue ring development. This fatigue ring development (detail fracture) started from a longitudinal separation close to the running surface of the rail head, then turned downward to form a transverse separation at a right angle to the running surface. This failure should be classified as a detail fracture from a shell. Investigation 135-28 involved a service failure that resulted from a derailment. This rail was identified as a 112-lb RE. This failure was caused by an impact force of unusually high magnitude that is believed to have been the result of a derailment. Investigation 135-29 involved a rail that failed in service. This rail was identified as a 115-lb RE. This failure was attributed to the presence of a base seam in conjunction with a high impact loading at subzero temperatures.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1968-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 620-631
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 69
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Defects; Derailments; Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Impact loads; Inspection; Inspection cars; Low temperature; Maintenance of way; Metal heating; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Shelling (Metals); Technology; Temperature
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heat treatment
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Fissures (Rails); Impact loading; Rail failure; Shelling; Shelling (Rails); Splitting (Rails); Track maintenance equipment; Web defects; Web defects (Rails)
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040474
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Bulletin 612
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 22 1976 12:00AM