FLAT-BOTTOM TRACK

In a comprehensive review of the potentialities and development of flat-bottom track extensive reference was made to experiments on the L.M.S.R. and showed that compared with the 100-lb B.S. bull-head rail, the 110-lb. B.S. flat-bottom section had the advantage or 41 percent, increased strength in the vertical plane, and the wide foot (6 in.) gave considerably greater resistance to bending in the horizontal plane. Taking the standard 95-lb B.S. bull-head as a basis, the 100-lb. flat-bottom was 43 percent stronger in the vertical plane, the 113-lb 62 percent, and the former 131 lb. American section 85 percent stronger. Considered as a beam, the 113-lb. flat-bottom rail was 62 percent stronger and 88 percent stiffer than the B.S. 95-lb. rail. The ll3-lb. flat-bottomed rail was approximately two and a half times as stiff laterally as the bull-head section, due to the bottom flange of 5-1/2 in. The B.S. 110-lb. flat-bottomed was even better in this respect and with its 6-in. base, was three times as stiff. The article concludes that a considerable period of experiment would be necessary before it became possible to translate into terms of an accurate financial comparison, the relative merits of full-head and flat-bottom track.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1948-6-4

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 649
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 88

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bending; Bending stress; Deformation; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Stresses; Structural design; Technology; Tension
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contact stress; Tensile stress
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail deformation; Rail design; Rail stress
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037938
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM