Causes of Rail Joint Diseases

Rail joints are a relatively weak link in the track structure and an important component that affects the quality level of railways. When the train wheels pass through the joints, the state of the joints continues to change due to long-term dynamic loads, eventually forming joint defects. Common defects include low joints, hardened ballast at the joints, and whitening.

Causes of rail joint defects

The most fundamental reason for rail joint defects is the structural unevenness of the track joints.

When the train passes through the joints, due to the presence of rail seams, adjacent rails collide with each other during train operation, causing deformation of the rail surface, low joints, misaligned teeth, and finally forming height differences. When the three factors of angle, rail seam, and step appear at the same time, wheel-rail impact will occur, thereby increasing the additional resistance at the joints.

This is determined by its own characteristics. When the train passes, it produces a greater deflection than other parts. The impact force process generated when the wheel passes through the joint is consistent with the impact force process caused by the wheel passing through a very short section of track unevenness. The track unevenness causes a greater impact force.

The maintenance and maintenance effect of the railway directly affects the running of the train. Paying attention to the maintenance and repair of the railway is of great significance to the prevention of joint diseases. Improper maintenance or poor quality will increase the destructive effect of the impact force on the joint, thus causing a vicious cycle of increased joint destructive force and expanded joint diseases.