CRACKS AT RAIL ENDS

The occurrence of cracks at rail ends in the upper fillet and at the first bolt hole were investigated by the Engineering Division Research Staff. It appears that the development of these cracks is related to the use of rail joint packing, consisting of a mixture of wood flour and oil. The accompanying photographs are typical of the cracks found; the corrosive attack is clearly indicated. Seven railways have reported the development of these cracks where joint packing has been used. Others have removed rail joints where the packing was applied and found no cracks. It seems evident that in some instances the rail joint packing has contributed to the development of rail end cracks, and the indications are that a corrosive effect has either so lowered the fatigue strength of the steel that crack developed or that stress corrosion cracking has developed in the areas of high tensile stress in the upper fillet and around the first bolt hole.

• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Authors:
  • MAGEE, G M
• Publication Date: 1947-10-16

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bolts; Corrosion; Cracking; Defects; Failure; Holes; Rail joints; Railroad rails; Technology
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Bolt holes; End breaks; Fissures (Rails); Rail failure
• Subject Areas: Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040250
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: e4083
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM