Rail Structure Interaction Study Using Wireless Sensors – A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractThe incorporation of Long Welded Rail (LWR) or Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) on bridges has led to the importance of Rail Structure Interaction (RSI) Analysis. It largely deals with determining the forces caused in rails and bridge components due to contact effects and checks for the safety of track and structural elements. Three major cases considered for generating additional stresses in rails due to deck under the tracks are (i) thermal expansion or contraction of bridge decks or tracks, (ii) deflection of sub-structure under tractive or braking forces from the trains, and (iii) end rotations caused by vertical bending under vertical trainloads. In this study wireless sensor network system is installed on the first span of the bridge with LWR at various locations to measure the additional stresses obtained from three tests (i) sudden braking of the train on the bridge, (ii) deformation of the bridge for vertical moving load and (iii) 24-h temperature change. Results obtained were compared with the numerical model generated using finite element method-based MIDAS software. Variations in the results and challenges in the instrumentation of the bridge for acquiring the data are presented in detail.KeywordsLong weld rails (LWR)Continuous weld rails (CWR)Rail structure interaction (RSI)Rail stressesWireless sensorsData analysis