00781527

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/1691-05

http://scholar.google.com...haas&publication_year=1999

The development of a railroad track-evaluation computer program called TRACK is described, and its application is summarized. TRACK was created to provide a simple tool to help determine the need for track rehabilitation. The program assesses the track's vertical load-carrying capability and shows some relative effects of track improvements or deterioration. The evaluation is based on five equations that provide values for rail bending stress, tie bending stress, tie reaction, ballast surface stress, and subgrade surface stress. This information is important for initial design, rehabilitation planning, and basic track evaluation, but has not always been readily available in an easy-to-use format. Although the evaluation method in TRACK is simplified, it illustrates the complex interaction among the main track components--namely, that a change in one component affects the others. TRACK automatically selects values for equation variables from information about track characteristics and types of cars handled; the program then solves the equation. Calculated stresses are displayed beside suggested limiting values for the track. The basic approach is that if none of the four main track components (i.e., rail, ties, ballast, and subgrade) are overstressed, the track structure is considered suitable for the given traffic loading. TRACK is intended for low-speed, low-traffic railroad lines--those with conventional wood-tie track, with either jointed or welded rail, on which traffic is less than approximately 5 to 8 million gross tons (4.6 to 7.2 million metric tons) per year, with maximum speeds of 25 to 30 mph (40 to 48 km/h).

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1691, Research Issues in Intercity Rail Passenger Systems and Railroad Track Structure Design.

English

p. 33-43

1999

Transportation Research Record

0309071194

Figures (8) ; References (19) ; Tables (3)

Ballast (Railroads); Bending; Computer programs; Equations; Evaluation and assessment; Load limits; Railroad rails; Railroad ties; Railroad tracks; Stresses

Low-speed railroads; Low-traffic railroads; Subgrade (Railroads)

Design; Highways; Railroads

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 24 2000 12:00AM

• COMPARISONS OF BIOFUELS IN HIGH-SPEED TURBINE LOCOMOTIVES: EMISSIONS, ENERGY USE, AND COST
• EFFICACY OF SAFETY-RELATED INVESTMENTS TO REDUCE FATALITIES ON THE EAST JAPAN RAILWAY
• ESTIMATING PATRONAGE FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL IN THAILAND
• INTERCITY RAIL FIXED-INTERVAL, TIMED-TRANSFER, MULTIHUB SYSTEM: APPLICABILITY OF THE "INTEGRALER TAKTFAHRPLAN" STRATEGY TO NORTH AMERICA
• SHEAR STRENGTH OF DOUGLAS FIR TIMBER BRIDGE TIES