ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT OF STRESS IN RAILROAD WHEELS AND IN LONG LENGTHS OF WELDED RAIL

The failure of high speed emergency braking is discussed for railroad wheels and track. It is shown that high compressive residual stresses exist in the rims of new wheels which generate excessive heat, reducing the stress levels. Thermal stresses that build up in continuous lengths of welded track are reported and nondestructive methods of measuring stresses in thick steel are presented for identification, replacement, or adjustment before hazardous failures occur.

• Corporate Authors:

  Marshall Space Flight Center

  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  Huntsville, AL  United States  35812
• Authors:
  • Clotfelter, W N
  • Risch, E R
• Publication Date: 1974-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking performance; Nondestructive tests; Rail (Railroads); Stresses; Thermal stresses; Wheel rims
• Old TRIS Terms: Braking levels; Rail thermal stresses; Wheel rim stresses
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080243
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-TM-X-64863
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1975 12:00AM