Rail Sleeper Research Articles

Progress on the Brisbane rail tunnels: Baxter, D A Tunn TunnlgV25, N7, July 1993, P23–25

This article describes how a 726m long twin-tube rail tunnel is being constructed below the city centre of Brisbane, Australia. The tubes are being constructed between 5m and 20m under the ground through variably weathered rocks. To prevent the seepage of percolating rainwater, the tunnels will be provided with a partial plastic waterproof membrane backed by a fleece geotextile drainage membrane across the crown. Due to the low cover and the close proximity of buildings, drill+blast methods were banned in certain sections and closely controlled elsewhere. Heading and bench methods were used for sections nearer to the ground, to provide better ground control. Two Mitsui Miike road-headers were used for full-face excavation, where possible, for both headings. A steel rail sleeper section was used in place of a universal column section, to enable more effective shotcreting. Three basic types of primary ground support were specified, and applied according to ground conditions. Tunnelling is expected to be complete in June 1993, with other works expected to be finished by March 1994, six months ahead of schedule. Monitoring consists of tunnel convergence and strain measurements, and precise arrays of ground surface monitoring points have been set up at critical locations.

Rubber pad reduces damage to concrete rail sleepers

The Bending-Gradient theory for thick plates is the extension to heterogeneous plates of Reissner–Mindlin theory originally designed for homogeneous plates. In this paper the Bending-Gradient theory is extended to in-plane periodic structures made of connected beams (space frames) which can be considered macroscopically as a plate. Its application to a square beam lattice reveals that classical Reissner–Mindlin theory cannot properly model such microstructures. Comparisons with exact solutions show that only the Bending-Gradient theory captures second order effects in both deflection and local stress fields.

Study on Contact Rolling Fatigue of Rails : 1st Report, Development of High Speed Rail Testing Machine

The high speed rail testing machine was originally developed in the world to simulate the Shinkansen traffic condition in Japan, especially the contact rolling problems between rail and wheel in a laboratory. Its main features are as follows. This machine is of a unique type and principally consists of a circular rail and two wheels, which contact each other. Test piece : actual bent rail (for example, 12 m×2 pieces), parent metal and welds. Wheel : two actual wheels, easily changeable and hydraulically-operated, running in one direction. Radial load: applied by a simple mechanism with large loading capacity using centrifugal force and oil pressure, and easily variable. Thrust load: generated by vertical oscillation of rotor by oil pressure actuator. Driving system: a wheel driven by oil pressure motor. Brake: DC motor brake and oil pressure brake. Pitch of rail sleeper arrangement; 580 mm. Medium: air, fresh water and sea water, Conditions : the same as those of the Shinkansen.

Study on contact rolling fatigue of rails (1st report, Development of high speed rail testing machine)

The high speed rail testing machine was invented to simulate the Shinkansen traffic conditions, especially the contact rolling problems between rail and wheel, in a laboratory. Its main properties are as follows: This machine was principally consist of a circular rail and two wheels contact rolling internally. Test piece; actual rail (for example, 12 m ×2 pieces), parent metals and welds. Wheel; two actual wheels, easily changeable system by of pressure, one way running direction. Radial load; simple mechanism and large capacity by centrifugal force and oil pressure, easily variable loading system. Thrust load; vertical oscillation of rotor by oil pressure actuator. Driving system; wheel driving. Pitch of rail sleepers; 580 mm. Atomosphere; air, fresh water and sea water. : the same condition as those of Shinkansen.

Seedling Variation of Open-Pollinated Seeds from a Single Tree of Acacia confusa Merr.

If Acacia confusa Merr. is not the most valuable forest tree in Taiwan, it must be the most popular tree on the island. It is planted in a very wide area to produce timber which is used for furniture, floors, rail sleepers, charcoal and pulp, for soil conservation and for wind breaks in farms and orchards. The seedling morphology and variation has been studied (Vassal, 1970; Li, 1974b). The present study is an investigation into the variation and inheritance of some seedling characters and the breeding system of this indigenous species.

Determination of Cu-Cr-As and Zn in H2SO4/HNO3digested extracts of preserved wood by atomic absorption spectroscopy with reference to As in Karri rail sleepers

Determination of Cu-Cr-As and Zn in H₂SO₄/HNO₃digested extracts of preserved wood by atomic absorption spectroscopy with reference to As in Karri rail sleepers