TESTS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF REMOVING THE BULGE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE RAIL BASE ON THE STRENGTH OF ACETYLENE PRESSURE BUTT WELDS

Eight specimens were welded from 3-ft lengths sawed from two 115 RE Inland rails, and welded in the normal fashion. On four of the specimens the bulge was left on the base and on four of the specimens the bulge was ground off. A ninth specimen was cut from a 78-ft length from a previous welding run leaving the bulge on the base. Slow bend tests were made. There was considerable variation in the maximum load before fracture and especially in the energy for fracture. Observation of the fractured surfaces showed smooth areas predominately in the base and web indicating that full fusion had not been obtained in the welding process. The results obtained in the drop tests showed the same lack of complete fusion in the appearance of the fractured area. It is concluded that there is no significant difference in the strength of the weld whether or not the bulge on the base of acetylene pressure welds is removed by grinding or left on as has been the past practice.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Authors:
  • Kannowski, K
• Publication Date: 1960-2

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 898-904
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue Number: 556
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bending; Bending stress; Defects; Deflection; Drop tests; Dynamic loads; Failure; Railroad rails; Stresses; Technology; Welded rail
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail deflection; Rail drop tests; Rail failure
• Subject Areas: Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040566
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM