Abstract
Ensuring stable parameters of a railway track after bringing it into a design position is a key measure of quality for evaluating completed repairs. Identifying quality criteria for sleeper tamping using a special rolling stock is a high-priority problem for a railway track infrastructure. This problem is complicated by a large choice of ballast compaction, leveling and finishing machines, totaling more than 30 types. The paper presents results of theoretical studies aimed at assuring and controlling the quality of tamping by multi-purpose track machines. The factors that determine the stability of railway track parameters in operation were identified. The track repair processes were analyzed. The operating factors that are essential for developing qualitative process parameters were identified for various types of track machines. Based on the findings of these studies, a quality assurance and control methodology was developed for railway track repair and maintenance operations.
Highlights
During operation of a railroad track, assembled rails and sleepers are under train loads, which are transferred to the ballast layer and cause its elastic and permanent deformations
The stability of a repaired railway track is determined by resistance of sleepers to longitudinal and lateral shifts, as well as by track settlement, and depends mainly on the quality of two operations: track leveling and tamping [1]
The quality of leveling is determined by requirements for the accuracy of positioning a railway track in terms of level, longitudinal section and plan. Quantitative values of these requirements are established and determined by applicable technical regulations [2,3]. They are used in designing instrumentation systems, track leveling devices and automation equipment of track machines
Summary
During operation of a railroad track, assembled rails and sleepers are under train loads, which are transferred to the ballast layer and cause its elastic and permanent deformations. These parameters cannot be monitored during operation of machines due to the lack of monitoring techniques and appropriate instruments Another important factor that makes it difficult to assure the quality of track tamping is a dependence of degree of ballast compaction on such factors as ballast contamination and porosity, height to which a track is raised, and ballast thickness. These factors lead to a scientific problem that has not been solved yet: a constant change in the density of a ballast section due to a change in its structure.
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