Improving Performance of Crossties and Fasteners

A three-phase project is being conducted to compare the performance of various crossties and fastener designs to reduce life-cycle costs and to increase system reliability and safety. This article presents the first phase of the project, which is identifying problems with current designs and materials. Phase 2 will quantify the load environment, and Phase 3 will recommend design guidelines. Wood, concrete, and composite crosstie test zones were installed in 2008 for in-track setting with various plate hold-downs and fastening systems. Currently, 24 test zones are being tested in the 6-degree, 5-inch superelevation curve that is operated at 40 mph with 1.7 inches of cant deficiency. Results indicate that softwood with an 18-inch tie plate and cut spikes have the highest railhead and rail base deflections under heavy axle load. Hardwood ties with cut spikes and an 18-inch tie plate follow and data to date shows that wood ties with elastic fastening systems have track gauge strength similar to that of concrete ties. Performance of the crossties and fasteners will continue through 2014 when component maintenance life-cycle costs will be estimated and the last phase will include development of a performance index load environment measurement.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1763403
• Authors:
  • Akhtar, Muhammad
  • Davis, David
  • LoPresti, Joseph
• Publication Date: 2013-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 16, 18, 20, 22
• Serial:
  • Railway Track and Structures
  • Volume: 109
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-9016

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fasteners; Life cycle costing; Maintenance of way; Railroad ties; Railroad tracks; Spikes; Superelevation; Tie plates
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heavy axle loads
• Subject Areas: Design; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01505959
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 28 2014 5:03PM