The Stability of Continuous Welded Rail Tracks Considering Various Wheel Loads

Abstract

At high rail temperature above the neutral temperature, high compressive axial stresses will occur in the CWR(Continuous Welded Rail). High compressive axial stress and vehicle loads cause the track to shift in a lateral direction and the formation of track imperfections. When the thermal stress level with vehicle load reaches a critical value, the CWR track loses stability. In many studies, the stability of CWR tracks is analyzed. However these studies are only considered in temperature load. The main objective of this study was to estimate a new, comprehensive, realistic, the stability of CWR tracks considering wheel load. The ballast resistance is changed by wheel load. When the wheel load is applied, rails and ties are moved upward or downward. In this case the friction between ties and ballasts is decreased or increased. In this study the change of the ballast resistance of each tie was applied to the nonlinear analysis of CWR tracks.Firstly, linear analysis was performed to determine the reaction at all ties, when wheel load is applied. Secondly, considering reactions, new ballast resistances were calculated by equation. And then, The CWR track nonlinear analysis that new ballast resistances were considered was performed. The parameter studies were performed about various wheel loads and wheel-base. In addition, the sensitivity of the ballast longitudinal resistance and 3 directthe formation of track imperfections. When the thermal stress level with vehicle load reaches a critical value, the CWR track loses stability. In many studies, the stability of CWR tracks is analyzed. However these studies are only considered in temperature load. The main objective of this study was to estimate a new, comprehensive, realistic, the stability of CWR tracks considering wheel load. The ballast resistance is changed by wheel load. When the wheel load is applied, rails and ties are moved upward or downward. In this case the friction between ties and ballasts is decreased or increased. In this study the change of the ballast resistance of each tie was applied to the nonlinear analysis of CWR tracks.Firstly, linear analysis was performed to determine the reaction at all ties, when wheel load is applied. Secondly, considering reactions, new ballast resistances were calculated by equation. And then, The CWR track nonlinear analysis that new ballast resistances were considered was performed. The parameter studies were performed about various wheel loads and wheel-base. In addition, the sensitivity of the ballast longitudinal resistance and 3 direct