THE EFFECT OF STRESS RAISERS AROUND A BOLT HOLE ON THE FATIGUE LIFE OF A RAIL

A universal fatigue testing machine was obtained and a bending fixture was designed. The function of the machine is to apply a vertical vibratory force to any specimen. The alternating force is applied 1800 times a minute to an elastic test specimen, and can be adjusted between zero and 5000 lb. The 132-lb. RE section was used because it represents the heaviest of AREA sections, and the 140-lb. PS section was used because it had a bolt hole location in the heavier web area. The severity of the defects varied from light to heavy drill gouges, and from light to heavy burrs, as well as the location of the brand one the edge of the hole. The effect of the stress raisers on the fatigue life of the rail sections is very pronounced. All these stress raisers around the bolt hole were produced in the manufacturing process. The statistical data indicates that a bolt hole drilled with a dull or improperly sharpened drill through a brand reduces the fatigue life of the rail by 50 percent.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1952-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 960-975
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue Number: 521
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bending; Bending stress; Bolts; Defects; Equipment design; Equipment tests; Fabrication; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Holes; Railroad rails; Stresses; Technology
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Bolt holes; Test equipment; Web defects; Web defects (Rails)
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040516
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM