Analysis of the Relationship between Rail Cant and Track Gauge Based on the Data Obtained by Track Recording Cars

Abstract

The increase in the service life of track superstructure has always been an important task since this allows reduction in the cost of repairs and current maintenance of the track.The objective of the work is to determine the mutual influence of the rail cant and the track gauge based on the results of measurements carried out by track recording cars, as well as their impact on the stress-strain state of the rail. The analysis was based on statistical and the finite element methods. Using statistical methods, it was determined that the rail cant and track gauge values do not have a normal distribution and have a weak feedback. The reasons were explained in the conclusions.To determine with the finite element method contact stresses in the rail head on the track sections available in the sample, with different combinations of rail cant and track gauge, a model with full geometric similarity was developed.The results obtained from the calculations demonstrate that the deviation of the cant within the range from 1/15 to 1/30 leads to an increase in stresses by more than 20 %, while changing the track gauge has a weak effect on the stress-strain state of the rail head. The maximum increase in contact stresses, at the analysed section, was 97 %, with a cant of 1/990 and a track gauge of 1526 mm.The growth of contact stresses leads to the formation of fatigue cracks and, as a consequence, to the defects and then to replacement of the rail. To increase the service life of the rails, it is recommended to monitor the condition of fasteners and compliance with the technology of current maintenance works, as well as to reconsider tolerance of the deviation of the cant both upward and downward.