TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING WHEEL/RAIL FORCES WITH TRACKSIDE INSTRUMENTATION

A characterization of the rail loading environment is a key factor in all aspects of improved railroad track performance. The quantitative description of rail loads is a primary input to studies of rail stress, reliability, and failure prediction, as well as other research and testing of rail and track structural components. In addition, the wheelrail loads provide an important measure of vehicle/track interactive response in terms of reliability and safety of operation. In this paper, techniques for the measurement of wheel/rail loads using trackside instrumentation are discussed, based on experience accured over two years of field measurements. These trackside measurements have provided a basis for the evaluation by AMTRAK of new locomotives and passenger equipment, and were used in a Department of Transportation-sponsored program for evaluating loads on concrete-tie track. Wheel/rail load data representative of freight and passenger traffic are presented to illustrate an application of the measurement techniques.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of ASME for presentation at the Winter Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, November 27-December 2, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Ahlbeck, D R
  • Harrison, H D
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Instrumentation; Loads; Measuring instruments; Rail joints; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Rolling contact; Strain gages; Stresses; Test facilities; Train track dynamics; Wheels
• Identifier Terms: Amtrak
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral loads; Vertical loads
• Old TRIS Terms: Flat wheels; Rail stress; Track structures
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168011
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Report/Paper Numbers: 77-WA/RT-9 Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 13 1978 12:00AM