Interface - The Journal of Wheel/Rail Interaction

124-POUND RAIL

Examining 124-Pound Rail (continued)

A summary of the overall findings includes:

• Displacement of the rail is reduced with an increase in the weight of the rail section.

• Maximum stress occurs at the wheel/rail contact area of the head of the rail.

• Lateral loads cause torsion stresses to develop throughout the rail section.

• Stresses in the 119- and 124-pound rail sections were similar because of similarities in the geometric section of the rails. If not for the 1/4-inch difference in width of head (see Figure 1), both rails are essentially the same.

• Because of its wider head, the 124-pound rail has a clear advantage over the other rails in its ability to accommodate more side wear in severe curvature.

• The 115-pound rail displayed higher stress for all load conditions and wear types. This is expected as it has the smallest cross section and smallest head area.

• Stress is better managed by the different rail sections as the weight of the rail section increased.

• Changes in stresses as the section is worn is largely dependent on the amount of material left in the head of the rail. This also controls rail life.

• If a 115-pound rail with 1/2inch of vertical wear is adequate for the current axle loads, the 119-pound rail would exhibit similar stress at 5/8 inches of vertical wear. Therefore, converting from 115-pound to 119-pound rail increases the weight and cost of the of the rail by 3.5% but extends the life of the rail by 25%.

• Similarly, the stresses exhibited by the 115-pound rail with 1/2-inch vertical wear are similar to those exhibited by 124-pound rail with 3/4inches of vertical wear. This indicates that conversion from 115-pound rail to 124-pound rail will increase the weight and cost of the rail by approximately 8%, but increase the rail life by 50%.

Jude O. Igwemezie, Ph.D., P.Eng., is President of Applied Rail Research Technologies Inc.

References
(1) Hooper, N., “Lowering Cost and Improving Rail Performance on BC rail” Railway Track and Structures, July 1993.

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