RAIL RESEARCH - PROBLEM DEFINITION

A program was initiated to determine and define the problems associated with rail. The purpose was to collect and analyze facts regarding national and international experience on rail behavior, in order to focus attention on the major unresolved problems in rail. These are (1) Joint area problems, both bolted and welded, (2) Plastic deformation of rail head causing shelling, (3) Rail defects and premature removal of rail from track, and (4) Appropriate selection of rail based upon service requirements-use criterion. This report presents a background study of rail design, chemical composition and heat treatment of rail, manufacturing and rolling of rail-reviewing problem areas of each. A discussion of rail defects and the background and techniques of rail defect (flaw) detection is also presented. Recommendations are made for further research and study on bolt hole drilling, rail straightness, new rail steel process and manufacturing techniques, wheel/rail interaction, fracture properties and defect propagation of present and proposed rail steels, rail flaw detection technology, and economic use criterion of rail.

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 81 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00080285
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
  • Report/Paper Numbers: R-120 Res. Rpt.
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jan 29 1976 12:00AM