Rail Joint Installation and Maintenance Recommended Practices

This article presents a series of best practices designed to extend rail joint service life. A supported foundation, instead of a suspended foundation, is recommended for maximizing service life in heavy axle load service. A supported foundation, in which a crosstie is in place under the rail ends, offers a reduction in maximum shear stress in the joint, and this is considered to be its most significant advantage. In order to mitigate the effects of dynamic loading and joint deflection, both of which can lead to joint degradation, the article recommends optimal track stiffness and damping properties. Rail joints can better survive larger dynamic loads if damping is added to the foundation. Preventative track surface and running surface maintenance can also help to improve the life of rail joints. Lowering the tensile force in rail will reduce epoxy shear stresses which in turn will lead to longer service life for the rail joint. Longitudinal restraint, or anchoring of the rail at the rail joint, is another practice that can help control thermal expansion and rail creep.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1763403
• Authors:
  • Davis, David D
  • Akhtar, Muhammad N
  • Read, David M
• Publication Date: 2009-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 17-20
• Serial:
  • Railway Track and Structures
  • Volume: 105
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-9016

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Installation; Maintenance of way; Rail joints; Railroad tracks; Service life
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01129801
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 2009 8:49AM