Report on Engineering Investigation of Various Types of Welded Rail Joints

摘要

A literature search of current rail joining methods was conducted. In addition, several rail weldments were fabricated and subjected to nondestructive and destructive testing. The purpose was to evaluate rail joining methods for use at Naval facilities as well as to develop a suitable nondestructive test procedure for use on welded rail joints. Bolted rail joints were found to be the least expensive upon initial installation followed by thermite and then flash butt type welded joints (depending on the quantity of joints to be fabricated). Flash butt joints were found to provide the longest service life followed by thermite and then bolted joints. An ultrasonic test procedure and a thermite welding procedure were developed for use with welded rail joints. (Author)