SERVICE TESTS OF SOLID AND MANGANESE STEEL INSERT CROSSINGS SUPPORTED BY STEEL T-BEAMS AND LONGITUDINAL TIMBERS

The purpose of this investigation was to develop an integrally welded steel T-beam type of frog support for crossings to reduce the flexural stresses in the castings and to determine its practicality under actual use in a service test. Two steel T-beam cross section supports imbedded in asphalt bound crushed rock ballast were compared to two sections having longitudinally framed crossing timbers and crushed rock ballast. One of each of the two crossings in each group was a reversible manganese insert type, and the other a solid manganese type. It is concluded that the T-beam support was strong enough to support the crossing. The steel substructure was moderately beneficial in reducing the extent of flangeway cracks in the manganese-insert type of crossing. The solid manganese crossing with steel support developed more flangeway cracks than the solid manganese supported by crossing timbers. A vertical lip welded along the edges of the T-beam flanges would greatly facilitate the retaining of the ballast under the steel plates. The plan of having the lip on the edges of the T-beams flange with graded 3/4 in. minimum stone ballast and vibratory tamping appears to be the most practical. A greatly improved design of the clamping arrangement must be provided in order to have the steel substructure and the crossing flex function as a unit.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1956

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 689-696
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 57
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Construction; Frogs (Railroads); Steel; Welds
• Old TRIS Terms: Steel construction; Welded steel beams
• Subject Areas: Construction; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052400
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM