Temperature Effects on Rail Anchor Slip Force

In contemporary railway infrastructure, continuous welded rail (CWR) has gained prominence due to its numerous benefits over jointed track, including enhanced ride quality, prolonged rail and rolling stock lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs. However, the absence of joints presents challenges such as thermal expansion-induced track buckling. The Rail Neutral Temperature (RNT), the temperature at which the rail experiences zero stress, is crucial for managing compressive rail stresses, especially during hot weather conditions. Rail anchors play a pivotal role in maintaining track stability and managing RNT by resisting excessive longitudinal rail movement. Despite their significance, there remains a need to comprehensively understand their behavior under varying temperature conditions. This study aims to investigate the influence of temperature on the slip force of anchored rails with different steel anchor types. Through a series of full-scale laboratory tests, the research team will evaluate the slip force under varying temperature regimes, considering different anchor types, tightness levels, and environmental conditions. The test setup to be used for this research will allow for precise control and measurement of temperature variables. This study represents a significant step towards enhancing understanding of the interaction between temperature and rail anchor performance, ultimately contributing to the advancement of railway infrastructure resilience and reliability. Additionally, this research will provide insights into how temperature fluctuations affect the effectiveness of rail anchors in preventing longitudinal rail movement. By understanding the temperature-dependent behavior of rail anchors, railway engineers can develop strategies to optimize track stability and mitigate the risk of buckling-induced disruptions.

• Record URL:
  https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/_files/documents/research/infrastructure/exhibit-d_utcrs_utrgv_temperature_effects_on_rail_anchor_slip_force_rahmaninezhad_2024.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • MxV Rail and BNSF are partners for this project.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $127919
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348340

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Principal Investigators:

  Rahmaninezhad, S. Mustapha

  Tarawneh, Constantine

  Fuentes, Arturo

• Start Date: 20240601
• Expected Completion Date: 20250831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anchors (Structural connectors); Continuous welded rail; Rail fasteners; Railroad rails; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Thermal analysis
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01924843
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348340
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 22 2024 7:39AM