Track
and Track Stresses
Introduction
The track or permanent
way is the railroad on which trains run. It consists of two parallel rails
fastened to sleepers with a specified distance between them. The sleepers are
embedded in a layer of ballast of specified thickness spread over level ground
known as formation. The ballast provides a uniform level surface and
drainage, and transfers the load to a larger area of the formation. The rails
are joined in series by fish plates and bolts and these are fastened to the
sleepers with various types of fittings. The sleepers are spaced at a specified
distance and are held in position by the ballast. Each component of the track
has a specific function to perform. The rails act as girders to transmit the
wheel load of trains to the sleepers. The sleepers hold the rails in their
proper positions, provide a correct gauge with the help of fittings and
fastenings, and transfer the load to the ballast. The formation takes the total
load of the track as well as of the trains moving on it.
The
permanent way or track, therefore, consists of the rails, sleepers, fittings
and fastenings, the ballast, and the formation as shown in Fig. 5.1.
In
the early days, a temporary track used to be laid for carrying earth and other
building material for the construction of a railway line; this temporary track
used to be removed subsequently. The track is also called the permanent way in
order to distinguish the final track constructed for the movement of trains
from the temporary track constructed to carry building material.
The specifications
adopted by Indian Railways for various types of railway tracks are discussed
here. The stresses developed in the different components of a railway track due
to moving wheel load are also elaborated.
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