Synthesis of Railroad Design Methods, Track Response Models, and Evaluation Methods for Military Railroads

摘要

This report presents the results of a state-of-the-art review performed in the areas of railroad track structures, railroad design, and railroad evaluation. Described and discussed are the components comprising the railroad track system, railroad design procedures, analytical track response models, track performance models, methods of structural evaluation, rail defect testing, methods of functional evaluation, and the effect of heavy axle loads. Based on the results of this study an analytical track response model was chosen for use in future research into the evaluation of track structures. Three methods for testing track structures were chosen for additional investigation. An evaluation program comprising both structural (load-carrying capacity) and functional evaluation is proposed.