III.
Introduction to Railway Design
A. Railway Definition
- The earliest recorded railways appeared in Greece during Antiquity and then in medieval Europe,
operated by human or animal power. The Industrial Revolution changed the nature of railways
with the invention of the steam engine, which paved the way for the development of the first
electrified trains in the 1880s. Railways have since gone on to function as a major economic
force around the world and an essential part of our national and international infrastructure.
B. Components of a Railway Track
Steel Rail
- As the main part of railway track, steel rail always act as two parallel lines. In general, steel rail is
used to provide a surface for train and guide the train forward. Steel rail also transmit the pressure
from locomotive to railway sleepers. According to the kilos per meter, steel rail normally include
light rail, heavy rail and crane rail. For different markets, steel rail can be classified into many
standards, such as GB, UIC, DIN, ASTM, AREMA, As 1085, BS11-1985, JIS E1103-93/JIS
E1101-93, ISCR, ISCOR standard, etc.
Railway Sleeper
- Railway sleeper, also known as railroad tie, cross tie, is laid perpendicular to steel rail. Railway
sleeper can be properly deformed to trimmer pressure when the train passes through, after that,
cover as much as possible. By the raw materials, railway sleeper generally can be divided into
three types: wooden sleeper, steel sleeper and concrete sleeper. The main function of railway
sleeper as follow:
- Railway sleeper give firm and even support to rail.
- Railway sleeper should have certain flexibility and elasticity. Act as elastic medium between rail
and ballast.
- Railway sleeper absorb the vibrations from locomotive and transport the load from rail to ballast.
- Railway sleeper align the rails and keep the right rail gauge.
Railway Fish Plate and Fish Bolt
Railway Fish Plate, also called rail joint, splice bar or joint bar, is a metal bar that is used to the
connect end of two rails by fish bolts. As the connection part between two rails, railway fish plate
is used in combination with the steel rail. According to the steel rail standard, railway fish plate
has three types:
Railway fish plate for light rail: 8kg, 9kg, 12kg, 15kg, 18kg, 22kg, 24kg and 30kg
Railway fish plate for heavy rail: 38kg, 43kg, 50kg and 60kg
Railway fish plate for crane rail: QU70, QU80, QU100 and QU120
Rail Fastening System
Rail Fastening System refers to a group of railway fasteners that are used to fasten steel rail to railway
sleeper. Common components of rail fastening system include rail clip, railroad spike, rail bolt, rail tie
plate, rail pad, washer, plastic dowel, rail insulator and rail shoulder, etc.
The main function of rail fastening system is preventing steel rail from lateral and horizontal movement.
Besides that, rail fastening system also can absorb and transfer the pressure from locomotive to railway
sleeper. In a word, rail fastening system ensures the rail in gauge and protects rail safety. Rail fastening
system has a lot of types that is composed of different fasteners. Typical rail fastening system
includes SKL, KPO, E-type, NABLA, and etc.
Railway Switch
Railway switch is a special component of railway track, which is applied in the railway crossing. Railway
switch has another name-turnout. Railway switch is simply a rail component for converting track.
Railway switch increase the trafficability of railroad track, and it is important to transport safety and
efficiency.
C. Bridge: A Track-Carrying Structure
Bridge Deck
- portion of a railway bridge that supplies a means of carrying the track rails.
2 General Types of Bridge Deck:
Open Bridge Deck
- the rails are anchored directly to
timber bridge ties supported directly on
the floor system of the superstructure.
Ballasted Bridge- the rails are
anchored directly National to timber
track ties supported in the ballast
section.
D. Structural Design Considerations for Railway Bridges
Bridge Loading
Geometric Design
-The geometric design of a railway track includes all those parameters which determine or affect the
geometry of the track. These parameters are as follows.
1. Gradients in the track, including grade compensation, rising gradient, and falling gradient.
2. Curvature of the track, including horizontal and vertical curves, transition curves, sharpness of the
curve in terms of radius or degree of the curve, can’t or superelevation on curves, etc.
3. Alignment of the track, including straight as well as curved alignment.
Necessity for Geometric Design The need for proper geometric design of a track
arises because of the following considerations
- To ensure the smooth and safe running of trains
∙-To achieve maximum speeds
- To carry heavy axle loads
- To avoid accidents and derailments due to a defective permanent way ∙
-To ensure that the track requires least maintenance.
∙-For good aesthetics
Gradients are provided to negotiate the rise or fall in the level of the railway
track.
∙ A rising gradient is one in which the track rises in the direction of the movement of traffic and a down or
falling gradient is one in which the track loses elevation in the direction of the movement of traffic.
∙ A gradient is normally represented by the distance travelled for a rise or fall of one unit.
∙ Sometimes the gradient is indicated as per cent rise or fall. For example, if there is a rise of 1 m in 400
m, the gradient is 1 in 400 or 0.25%. Gradients are provided to meet the following objectives.
(a) To reach various stations at different elevations
(b) To follow the natural contours of the ground to the extent possible
(c) To reduce the cost of earthwork.
The following types of gradients are used on the railways.
(a) Ruling gradient - is the steepest gradient that exists in a section.
(b) Pusher or helper gradient - When the gradient of the ensuing section is so steep as to necessitate the
use of an extra engine for pushing the train, it is known as a pusher or helper gradient.
(c) Momentum gradient - is steeper than the ruling gradient and can be overcome by a train because of the
momentum it gathers while running on the section.
(d) Gradients in station yards - are quite flat due to the following reasons.
∙ To prevent standing vehicles from rolling and moving away from the yard due to the combined effect of
gravity and strong winds.
∙ To reduce the additional resistive forces required to start a locomotive to the extent possible.
