Citation

Zarembski AM. Transp. Res. Rec. 1980; 744: 1-6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current trend in the railroad industry toward heavier cars and increased wheel loads and the subsequent effect of this trend on rail are discussed. Because of the increased loadings, the replacement criterion for rail in main-line tangent track has changed from rail wear to initiation of rail fatigue defects. An analysis of field data shows that this initiation of fatigue defects is a function of both wheel load and rail size. Rail research in North America and its thrust toward improving and extending rail service life are also discussed.