NTL Record

Title Crack propagation life of detail fractures in rails
Record ID 34244
Personal Name
Creator
Orringer, O; Tang, Y H; Gordon, J E; Jeong, D Y; MORRIS, J M; PERLMAN, A B
Source 199p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publication Date 19881000
Language English
Abstract The results of a comprehensive study of the crack propagation behavior of detail fractures in railroad rails are presented. The study includes full-scale crack growth experiments in a test track under simulated heavy freight train service, similar field tests and observations on revenue tracks, and static tests to determine the breaking strengths of rails containing detail fractures. A fracture mechanics model of the detail fracture is presented, and the results of laboratory tests to determine the basic crack growth rate properties of rail steel are reviewed. Correlation of most of the experimental results by the model is demonstrated. The model is used to illustrate the sensitivity of safe crack growth life to nine railroad environmental factors. The most influential factors are found to be thermal stress in continuous welded rail, the curve high rail position (relative to tangent track), and residual stress in the rail head. The experimental and analytical results indicate that further investigation is required into the influence on residual stress of: track curvature, rail steel tensile strength, roller-straightening of rails, and increases in axle loads above the maximum currently permitted by U.S. freight railroad interchange rules.
Rosap ID dot:8796
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8796
TRT Terms Cracking; Curvature; Fracture mechanics; Railroad tracks; Residual stress; Testing; Thermal stresses
General Subjects Crack propagation; Fracture; Model tests
Geographical
Coverage
United States
OCLC 18900525
TRIS Online
Accession No
478175
Contract Number RR819/R8001
Report Number DOT/FRA/ORD-88/13; DOT-TSC-FRA-88-1
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/34000/34200/34244/DOT-TSC-FRA-88-01.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository