Analytical model for predicting the buckling load of continuous welded rail tracks

The use of continuous welded rail (CWR) track has solved many of the problems associated with tread surface discontinuities that occur in jointed tracks. However, due to the longitudinal expansion of the rails in CWR tracks being highly constrained, the generated compressive stresses in the rails ca...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Navarro Martinez, Juan Ignacio, Villalba Sanchis, Ignacio|||0000-0002-4091-8719, Martínez Fernández, Pablo|||0000-0002-8246-2510, Insa Franco, Ricardo|||0000-0002-6655-4458
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repositorio:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/78063
Acceso en línea:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/78063
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Railway track buckling
Welded rails
Buckling
INGENIERIA E INFRAESTRUCTURA DE LOS TRANSPORTES
Descripción
Sumario:The use of continuous welded rail (CWR) track has solved many of the problems associated with tread surface discontinuities that occur in jointed tracks. However, due to the longitudinal expansion of the rails in CWR tracks being highly constrained, the generated compressive stresses in the rails can cause track buckling in the horizontal plane. Track buckling is a complex phenomenon, in which many factors are involved and around which there is much uncertainty. The objective of this paper is to present an analytical model that can be used to calculate the buckling load of a CWR track. This model accounts for the contributions of base, crib and shoulder ballast and includes the effect of vertical loading on each of these components. Moreover, a parametric study based on this model is developed, in order to understand how and the extent to which the considered factors affect track stability. The results of the study indicate that the characteristics of the existing misalignments in the track are the critical parameters involved in the phenomenon. In addition, maintenance operations that affect the ballast, such as tamping or surfacing, and the dimensions and material of the track sleepers are also important factors.