RAIL CORRUGATIONS

Methods by which this defect has been minimized on the Queensland Government Railways are discussed. The correction of railjoint dip, closing in of joint sleepers, and provision of clean elastic stone or gravel ballast has made an even top and a springy rail which has reduced the wheel-rail contact stress so much that rail rippling and corrugation is no longer a major problem. The greatest cause of overstress is the solidity of the rail bed which reduces tremendously the depression of the rail under wheel press and thus increases the local intensity of the stress. Other causes are open and dipped rail joints, easily deflected rail ends at joints, pumping sleepers, and track out of gauge and level. The metallurgical treatment of the rail steel, rolling and work effect when shaping, finished shape of the head, and chemical constituents of the metal, are very important. Higher strength rails such as sorbitic or chromium-steel rails oven-cooled will reduce the defects considerably. Long rails assist. There should be sufficient ballast to give an even bearing on the sub-grade. Elasticity of the whole track is most important and here sleeper spacing with depth of rail is to be considered for correct proportioning.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Authors:
  • Burgess, J H
• Publication Date: 1943-8-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 134
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 88

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Corrugations (Defects); Defects; Deformation; Dynamics; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Stresses; Structural design; Technology; Train track dynamics; Wheels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Contact stress; Rail corrugation; Track design
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail deformation
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039628
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM