Principal Track Expert SNC-Lavalin Inc. Delta, BC, Canada
Abstract: The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for Railway Engineering (MRE) recommends qualification tests for a glue-bonded insulated rail joint. Rolling load and longitudinal compression test from AREMA are reviewed. However, despite successful passing of the qualification tests, observations on railways have revealed that during cold weather, the high tensile forces can surpass the bonding strength of joint bars in a field-fabricated glued insulated bonded joints. This can result in a gap of 1.5 mm or more, leading to battered rail ends that contribute to high dynamic load, noise and/or electrical conductance issues. Some standards e.g., Australian standard specifies pull-apart test; this standard does not specify longitudinal compression test. The pull apart test from Australian standard is reviewed. For at least six reasons, pull-apart test may be more suitable than longitudinal compression test to assess the adhesion or cohesion strength of epoxy against failure; the reasons are explained. The pull-apart test load and acceptance criteria are suggested with due analysis. As per AREMA fasteners must be tightened to the required torque with no recommended value of torque. The torque is computed in this paper as a guideline for professionals. AREMA may consider pull-apart test as a qualification test.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
Upon completion, participants will be able to compute required torque for a bonded joint.
Upon completion, participants will be familiar with a qualification test from Australian Standard.
Upon completion, participants will know the purposes of qualification tests suggested by AREMA.
