Continuous Welded Rail in Curves of Small Radii

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the theory of continuous welded rail (CWR) mechanics and summarizes research results published to date with a focus on the stability of continuous welded rail. Axial forces arise mainly due to temperature changes and can cause rail crack in low winter temperatures or track buckling in high summer temperatures. The results of static analyses of the stability of CWR for small radii are presented.

Reduced stability is typical of curves of small radius (R < 300 m) where the lateral resistance of the track and the bending stiffness are exceeded. In curves of very small radii, lateral displacements of the track have been observed which reduce the axial forces in the track and thus reduce the risk of track buckling.