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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

EFFECT OF BOLT SPACING ON RAIL WEB STRESSES WITHIN THE RAIL JOINT

Tests were conducted to study the effect of bolt tension, applied wheel loads and bolt hole spacing, upon rail web stresses within the limits of the joint bar. Tests were made with bolt tensions of 10,000 lb., 20,000 lb. and 30,000 lb. Three bolt spacings from the rail end were used as follows: 2-1/2 in., 6-1/2 in.,6-1/2 in.; 3-1/2 in., 6 in., 6 in., and 4-1/2 in., 5-1/2 in., 5-1/2 in. The rail used was the new 115-lb RE section with 36-in. headfree joint bars and 1-in. diameter bolts. Similar stress measurements were also made on two 131-lb RE rail joints in tangent track during the passage of regular trains. Vertical tensile stresses in the rail web that would be expected to be in the range of 15,000 to 20,000 psi, with 30,000 lb. bolt tension were found to be as high as 50,000 to 70,000 psi at the bolt holes. Moving the first bolt hole farther away from the high stress area near the rail end not only lowered the tension stress at the bolt hole, but also reduced the stress in the upper and lower fillets and web area at the rail end. It is recommended that the present spacing of bolt holes at the rail ends of 2-1/2 in., 6-1/2 in., 6-1/2 in. be revised to 3-1/2 in., 6 in., 6 in. for six hole joint bars and from 2-1/2 in., 6-1/2 in., to 3-1/2 in., 6 in. for four-hole joint bars.

  • Corporate Authors:

    American Railway Engineering Association

    59 East Van Buren Street
    Chicago, IL  United States  60605
  • Publication Date: 1947

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 464-485
  • Serial:
    • AREA BULLETIN
    • Volume: 49
    • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00040810
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM