Finite element analysis of bonded insulated rail joints

Insulated rail joints are installed at regular intervals to create signal blocks for detecting train positions and sometimes breaks in rails. Their lifetime may be significantly shorter than that of the rail. Failure may occur in the adhesive between the rail and the joint bars on the sides of the rail. A standard butt joint is considered, with the center of the joint supported by a tie. The finite element program ABAQUS is used. A static wheel load is applied, and the rail is also subjected to a tensile load. The vertical displacement of the rail and the shear and peel stresses in the epoxy are determined. The effects of the location of the wheel, size of the ties, and length and thickness of the joint bars are investigated.