FAST/HAL Track Loads Evaluation

The Facility for Accelerated Service Testing/Heavy Axle Load (FAST/HAL) Track Loads Evaluation was conducted to quantify vertical and lateral forces at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing, Transportation Test Center, Pueblo, Colorado, under 33- and 39-ton axle load cars. Vertical rail forces beneath the 39-ton axle load cars were found to be 25 percent to 35 percent higher than those beneath the 33-ton axle load cars. Lead axle lateral rail forces were from 13 percent to 28 percent higher under the 39-ton axle load cars. There were no significant differences in lateral to vertical force (L/V) ratios. The lateral forces and L/V ratios for both the 33- and 39-ton axle load cars were found to be dependent upon lubrication conditions. Corrugated rail was found to induce higher vertical forces than rail with no visible surface defects. The vertical and lateral force measurements were taken using instrumented rail circuits at two separate locations in 5-degree curves. The loads were measured beneath a train of 14 each of 33- and 39-ton axle load cars which was operated at 40 mph to 42 mph. In addition, a pair of instrumented wheel sets was installed in a 39-ton axle load car to measure vertical and lateral forces. The measurements taken with the instrumented wheel sets generally supported those taken at the wayside locations.

• Record URL:
  https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L18015#p1_z25_gD_lRT_y1991
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads

  Transportation Test Center, P.O. Box 11130
  Pueblo, CO  United States  81001

  Association of American Railroads Technical Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Read, David M
  • Otter, Duane E
• Publication Date: 1991-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 80p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Corrugations (Defects); Measurement; Rail lubrication; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heavy axle loads; Lateral loads; Vertical loads
• Subject Areas: Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01666423
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA/ORD-91/20, R-791
• Contract Numbers: DTFR53-82-C-00282
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 21 2018 8:05PM