Straightening of Steel Rails
Introduction
Steel rails are the most important component of the railway track. The rail profile of a track should be correctly set in order to maintain a safe and efficient railway system. The railway tracks require regular check-ups and maintenance, including the inspection and straightening of steel rails. This paper aims to discuss the principles of steel rail straightening.
Stress Analysis of Steel Rails
Before discussing the principles of steel rail straightening, it is important to understand the stress analysis of steel rails. A steel rail experiences a combination of compression and tension forces due to the wheel loads transmitted through the track components, land topography and lateral loads. The compression and tension forces cause bending deformation of the steel rail. If a rail is subjected to long-term bending due to external loads, it will develop a permanent bend.
Principles of Steel Rail Straightening
The steel rail must be aligned to its original shape by straightening it. The Straightening process involves gradually restoring the steel rail to its correct shape and alignment. This process can be done manually or by using specialised machines. The manual method requires specific tools, such as a hammer, a chisel and a two-part wedge, in order to force the rail back into its original shape. However, the manual method is labour-intensive and requires a lot of skill and experience in order to achieve accurate results.
The specialised machines used in steel rail straightening are designed according to the heat treatment properties of the rail. These machines are used to apply a combination of heat, pressure and mechanical forces in order to restore the rail to its original shape and alignment. The machine-based method is much faster and more accurate than the manual method, and also ensures a uniformity of results which cannot be achieved by hand.
Conclusion
Steel rail straightening is a critical step in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a railway system. The process of steel rail straightening involves restoring the rail to its original shape and alignment. This process can be performed manually or by using specialised machines. Manual application of force is labour-intensive and requires a certain level of skill. Specialised machines are more accurate and efficient, and are capable of achieving uniform results.