Assessment of a rail break gap is important to ensure safety of rail traffic. An axial rail model available in current textbook yields a single formula in terms of breathing length to compute a rail break gap in a continuously welded rail (CWR) track. Transit Co-operative Research Program (TCRP) suggests three formulas to compute a rail break gap in a CWR track. The longitudinal resistance of a track or rail is a significant input to compute a breathing length which in turn determines a rail break gap. TCRP does not recommend value of longitudinal resistance of a track or rail but implicitly suggests dividing fastener restraint force by fastener spacing to determine longitudinal resistance value in the derivation process of its first and third formula. The theoretical and practical deficiencies of first and third formula are discussed. TCRP second formula, simplified version of the first one, appears to be acceptable provided the longitudinal resistance of a track or rail is not computed by dividing fastener restraint force by fastener spacing. The value of longitudinal resistance obtained by dividing fastener restraint force by fastener spacing is underestimated for a direct fixation track leading to a large rail break gap and is not appropriate for a ballasted track as well; an explanation for underestimation and inappropriateness is given. The track professionals would be benefitted by the clarity given in the paper. A call is made for review of TCRP formulas.


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    Title :

    Review of TCRP Rail Break Gap Formulas


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Conference on Transportation and Development 2022 ; 2022 ; Seattle, Washington



    Publication date :

    2022-08-31




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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