Analysis and tests of boned insulted rail joints subjected to vertical wheel loads

• Published in: International journal of mechanical sciences Vol. 41; no. 10; pp. 1253 - 1272
• Main Authors: Kerr, Arnold D., Cox, Joel E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.1999
• Subjects: Bonded rail joint; Continuously supoorted structure; Railway mechanics; Railway mechanics; Continuously supoorted structure; Bonded rail joint
• ISSN: 0020-7403; 1879-2162
• DOI: 10.1016/S0020-7403(98)00042-3

In traditional railroad tracks, joint bars are being used to connect the ends of adjoining rails. Because the vertical bending stiffness of two bars is generally much lower than of the rails, the passing wheels generate larger deflections in the joint region. This in turn leads to larger wheel forces caused by the dynamics of the passing vehicles and to accelerated track deterioration. In recent decades these expansion joints are being eliminated by the introduction of the continuously welded rails (CWRs). However, the retention of the automatic block signaling system created the need for electrically insulated joints is that the bending stiffness of the insulated joints bars is even smaller than of the non-insulated bars that are being eliminated. There are very few published analyses of joints in track; especilly of insulated joints. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanics of rail joints. At first an analysis is presented for the joint tests to be conducted. Then a test program is described that utilizes actual bonded joints. The obtained test results are then compared with the corresponding analytical results. The agreement is good. This confirms the validity of the assumed joint model and of the presented analysis. The paper concludes by analyzing the effect of a rail joints in a CWR track caused by a vertical wheel load.