Background:
The current design of insulated rail joints is characterised by
high maintenance and low life relative to continuously welded
rails.
Through the research conducted by the previous Rail CRC, it was
identified that the primary failure mechanisms of joint bar
cracking and railhead metal flow is wheel impact in the vicinity of
end posts.
Objective:
The project aims to examine the structural and electrical
integrity of the new generation joints through lab and field tests
prior to providing guidelines for revised dimensions and tolerances
in manufacturing, installation and maintenance.
Project
scope:
The project will assess the behaviour and response to fatigue
load cycles of various designs of improved low impact insulated
rail joints, and will prepare guidelines and manuals for design,
manufacture, installation and maintenance of insulated rail
joints.
The scope also includes submissions for the review of relevant
Australian standards with focus on tolerances to sensitive
dimensions of the new generation insulated rail joint components
and assemblies.
Benefits:
By enhancing the service life of these joints, the frequency of
maintenance interventions can be minimised and hence contribute to
the rail industry’s infrastructure design and capacity. The
project will benefit have primary focus on heavy haul rail
network.
Expected outcomes:
The project will deliver a best practice manual, guidelines for
manufacturing and site installation in addition to providing
submissions to the relevant Australian standard.
Project timeframe:
3 years
Project
Chair:
Robert Taylor, Assistant Corridor Manager, Australian Rail Track
Corporation
Project
Leader:
M. Dhanasekar (Sekar)
Professor of Infrastructure and Engineering
Queensland University of Technology
Tel: (07) 3138 6666
Email:
m.dhanasekar@qut.edu.au
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