Application of track modulus measurements to cane railway track design
By Foruria, V
In railway track design, track modulus values are required in the 'beam on an elastic foundation' approach to determine rail deflections and rail stresses. Rail stress analysis for cane railways is unnecessary as rail breakages due to overstressing the rail are extremely rare. However, deflections are a good indicator of track condition. The stability of track and the quality of its maintenance are reflected in the amount of deflection the track experiences under load. This paper describes track modulus tests and the subsequent results for a new section of track in its first season of operation. The site chosen is representative of the state of the art in cane railway track. Track modulus is both site dependent and influenced by the amount of traffic passing. Five sites were monitored on eight occasions over the first season to study the variability due to location and traffic.