RailTec system: extending the life of bolted rail

Author

Archambeau, Dave

Author_Institution

Fatigue Technol. Inc., Seattle, WA, USA

fYear

1989

fDate

25-27 Apr 1989

Firstpage

63

Lastpage

67

Abstract

The author identifies the recent developments in the technology of fatigue enhancement of rail joints and summarizes the industry´s testing results. Particular attention is given to the Railroad Cold Expansion System (RailTec). After years of testing, the split sleeve cold expansion system has been proven to enhance the life of bolted rail by minimizing bolt hole fatigue cracking. Using this process, there is an elimination or significant reduction of fatigue crack growth in the bolt hole region of the rail web. It is concluded that the RailTec system substantially reduces a major cause of rail failure and minimizes track inspection and maintenance costs

Keywords

life testing; railways; RailTec; Railroad Cold Expansion System; bolt hole fatigue cracking; bolted rail life extension; rail joint fatigue enhancement; split sleeve cold expansion system; Aircraft; Fasteners; Fatigue; Geometry; Inorganic materials; Life testing; Manufacturing processes; Rail transportation; Residual stresses; Tensile stress;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Railroad Conference, 1989. Proceedings., Technical Papers Presented at the 1989 IEEE/ASME Joint

Conference_Location

Philadelphia, PA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/RRCON.1989.77282

Filename

77282