IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF BONDED INSULATED JOINTS

High tonnage rates and increased degradation from higher dynamic loading can create significant economic problems for railroad track. The service life of bonded insulated joints (IJ) on tracks that are heavily used on coal routes, for example, suffers from degradation and is ultimately reduced. Bonded IJ, while allowing for train traffic control and improved safety and track capacity, also leads to an increase in maintenance and service disruptions. This article discusses research that is examining current degradation modes and the effects that design parameters have on performance. It looks at service life data for a group of IJ that were installed for a signal upgrading project. The data show that higher wheel loads, dynamic loads, longitudinal forces, and traffic density all contribute adversely to service life on a line carrying mostly higher speed intermodal traffic. An analysis of IJ degradation modes can enable railroads and suppliers to develop designs, prototypes, and maintenance procedures that can ultimately improve IJ performance.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1763403
• Corporate Authors:

  Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

  345 Hudson Street
  New York, NY  United States  10014
• Authors:
  • Davis, D D
  • Akhtar, M N
• Publication Date: 2005-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 14-17
• Serial:
  • Railway Track and Structures
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-9016

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Dynamic loads; Joints; Railroad rails; Rolling contact
• Uncontrolled Terms: Insulated joints
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00986873
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 2 2005 12:00AM