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Title:

Investigation of the Dynamic Frictional Properties of a Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat and Pad and its Effect on Rail Seat Deterioration (RSD)

Accession Number:

01371574

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

To meet the demands of increasing freight axle loads and cumulative gross tonnages, as well as high-speed passenger rail development in North America, the performance and service life of concrete railway crossties must be improved. According to a railway industry survey conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), rail seat deterioration (RSD) was identified as one of the primary factors limiting concrete crosstie service life. Abrasion is widely considered to be a viable mechanism leading to RSD; nonetheless, a lack of understanding of the complex interactions affecting the occurrence and rate of abrasion has resulted in a highly iterative design process for concrete crossties and fastening systems. When combined with abrasive fines and water that penetrate into the rail seat and pad interface, the frictional forces and relative movement of the concrete crosstie and fastening system equate to a seemingly ideal situation for the occurrence of abrasive wear. The purpose of this study is to characterize the effect of the dynamic frictional properties between the concrete crosstie rail seat and the bottom of the rail pad in order to better understand the mechanics of abrasion and the magnitude of abrasion as a failure mechanism. This paper includes an investigation of the tribological properties at the interface of the rail seat and pad. Additionally, preliminary results from an experimental evaluation of the frictional coefficient at the rail seat-pad interface, and its effect on the rate of abrasive wear is included. By identifying the parameters that contribute to RSD, UIUC’s research will seek to mitigate the effects of abrasion with an overall goal of improving the performance of concrete crossties and fastening systems.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AR050 Railroad Track Structure System Design

Monograph Accession #:

01362476

Report/Paper Numbers:

12-4334

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Kernes, Ryan G
Edwards, J Riley
Dersch, Marcus S
Lange, David A
Barkan, Christopher P

Pagination:

13p

Publication Date:

2012

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2012-1-22 to 2012-1-26
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; References; Tables

Uncontrolled Terms:

Rail seats

Subject Areas:

Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-4334

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Feb 8 2012 5:23PM