INVESTIGATE CAUSES OF SHELLY SPOTS AND HEAD CHECKS IN RAIL SURFACES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING MEASURES FOR THEIR PREVENTION

The investigation into the causes of shelly spots and head checks in rail surfaces was presented. A definition and description of shelly spots, the most serious type of rail damage, was presented. The division of the work of this subcommittee was described. Appendix A presented the shelly rail studies conducted at the University of Illinois. Laboratory studies of failed shelly rails concluded that shelling appears to be the result of cold working of the rail steel by "line contact" with car wheels. The presence of imperfections accelerated the formation of cracks. Laboratory rolling-load tests to produce shelling were performed. Different rail steel compositions were studied through rolling-load tests. The Brinell hardness of the wheel path after rolling was measured. Full sections specimens of heat-treated carbon rail were tested under rolling-load. No conclusions were reached.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1943

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 597-610
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 44
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Hardness; Load tests; Rail steel; Railroad rails; Shelling (Metals)
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail metallurgy; Rail shelling
• Subject Areas: Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052472
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1976 12:00AM