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This report summarizes the results of research on the mechanics of ballast compaction. Details are provided in four preceding reports. The scope of this summary includes: 1) a description of ballast physical state, 2) methods developed for measuring the physical state in-situ, 3) the effects of...
This report describes a preliminary series of laboratory tests which attempt to simulate some of the effects of maintenance procedures and traffic on the physical state of ballast as measured by the ballast density test, plate load test, and lateral tie push test. The first part of the report...
The important mechanical processes which influence the ballast physical state in track are tamping, crib and shoulder compaction and train traffic. Three methods of assessing physical state were used at four railroad sites to obtain needed data on the effect of these processes. The methods were:...
Field methods for measuring ballast physical state are needed to study the effects of ballast compaction. Following a consideration of various alternatives, three methods were selected for development and evaluation. The first was in-place density, which provides a direct measure of compaction. An...
This project evaluated the performance of active noise control (ANC) and active vibration control (AVC) technologies using a GP40-2 locomotive located at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) near Pueblo, CO, to determine the applicability of ANC and AVC technologies in the rail industry....
Some of the wheel and rail wear results from the current test at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing are analyzed in the light of both adhesive and fatigue wear theories. This analysis suggests that the wheel:rail wear processes occurring in the unlubricated state are affected by more than...
In this study advanced intercity ground transportation has been reviewed to establish the present status and future directions of worldwide technology development. The study has focused in detail on noncontacting types of suspension and propulsion technology while citing significant developments...
This final report is presented in two parts, and is in continuation of two previous reports prepared under this contract. Part 1 contains details of the development of finite element procedures for nonlinear analysis of track support structures. It provides the user options for using one-, two- or...
This final report is presented in two parts, and is in continuation of two previous reports prepared under this contract. Part 1 contains details of the development of finite element procedures for nonlinear analysis of track support structures. It provides the user options for using one-, two- or...
[From Overview] The effort on this project was divided into three phases. The purpose of Phase I was to investigate several railroad accidents that were attributed to poor train handling. The results of this investigation were used to establish a potentially difficult train handling scenario to...