EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF GAUGE WIDENING AND RAIL RESTRAINT CHARACTERISTICS

Gauge widening resulting from a loss of adequate rail restraint is one of the major track failure modes and the cause of a large number of derailments. A recent field and laboratory test program conducted by the Transportation Systems Center aimed at the determination of minimum rail strength capacity as influenced by tie and fastener condition resulted in the development of criteria and rail strength capacity limits for the prevention of excessive gauge widening. One of the major safety issues currently under investigation under this program of gauge widening. The work reported here is part of this investigation dealing with the experimental testing of lateral rail strength for low speed (5-25 mph) track. Tests were conducted using a specially designed track loading fixture for the purpose of simulating actual wheel/rail loads. In addition to these rail restraint tests, experiments were performed to determine spike pull out strength and tie plate vertical and lateral stiffness behavior. This report gives a detailed description of these tests and presents obtained results on gauge widening and rail restraint characteristics.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/experimental-investigation-gauge-widening-and-rail-restraint-characteristics
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kish A
  • Jeong, D
  • Dzwonczyk, D
• Publication Date: 1984-11

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 68 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Derailments; Gage (Rails); Rail fasteners; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Rolling contact; Spikes; Wheels; Wood ties
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral loads
• Old TRIS Terms: Gauge widening; Track structures; Wooden cross ties
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00392835
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-FRA-ORD-84/12 Final Rpt., DOT-TSC-FRA-84-5
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM