The Association of American Railroads has designed, constructed, and successfully tested a Track Loading Vehicle (TLV) which will be used extensively in testing of track lateral restraint. This unique vehicle is built on the underframe of a diesel-electric locomotive and features an retractable load bogie mounted underneath the center for applying computer controlled loads to the track and measuring the response while either stationary or moving. This paper describes the results of the on-track demonstration tests conducted at the Transportation Test Center, in Pueblo, Colorado, to determine the capabilities and limitations of the TLV in track lateral strength testing. Based on these results, the operational performance and track gage widening strength testing capabilities of the vehicle far exceeded the targeted performance requirements. The TLV is capable of applying vertical and lateral loads in excess of 39-tons on tangent and curve tracks up to 10 degrees. The maximum test speed at which continuous loaded gage measurements can be made was determined to be 35 mph. The repeatability and accuracy of the measurements were found to be excellent. The vehicle is capable of measuring dynamic gage widening strength of track and of identifying weak track locations under simulated heavy axle loads without causing permanent track damage. Currently the TLV is being used extensively in testing of track lateral strength. The potential utilization of the results obtained from the TLV is to develop better track inspection techniques, to produce vehicles which imposes less damage to the track, and to develop a statistical data base of track strength.
Track loading vehicle: part 3 - demonstration testing
Schienenbelastungsfahrzeug: Teil 3, Demonstrationsprüfung
1991
10 Seiten, 19 Bilder, 6 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Testing of Track Strength Using AAR's Track Loading Vehicle
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