Buckling of Track in LWR territory & its remedial measures
General
Buckling or a tendency towards buckling may occur, among others, in the following circumstances:-
i. Failure to adhere to the temperature ranges specified for operation on LWR/CWR
ii. Inadequate resistance to longitudinal, lateral and vertical movement of track due to deficiencies in ballast section or /and inadequate ballast consolidation.
iii. Use of ineffective fastenings or missing fastenings resulting in loss of creep resistance and torsional resistance
iv. Excessive settlement of formation.
v.Improper functioning of SEJ.
Buckling and its investigation.
i. Tendency towards buckling will usually manifest itself through kinks in track. Kinks may also arise from incorrect slewing or lifting operation. By tapping sleepers for hollowness, it may be possible to notice if there is any tendency towards vertical buckling.
ii. As soon as the tendency for buckling is detected, the traffic shall be suspended and the track protected. The track shall then be stablished by heaping ballast on the shoulder upto the top of the web of the rail obtaining the ballast from inter-sleeper spaces between the rails. Thereafter full investigation shall be made to find out the cause of the tendency for buckling.
iii. Each case or buckling shall be investigated by AEN soon after its occurrence and a detailed report submitted to DEN/Sr.DEN.
Repairs to buckled track
i. When the track actually buckles, the traffic shall be suspended and the cause of buckling ascertained. The position of tongue and stock rails of the SEJ shall be checked. The methods for rectification are explained below.
ii. The rectification shall normally be carried out in the following stages under the supervision of PWI :-
a)Emergency repairs
b)Permanent repairs
c)Distressing.
Emergency repairs
The buckled rails shall preferably be gas cut adequately apart not less than 6.5 metre. The track shall then be slewed to the correct alignment and cut rails of the required lengths shall be inserted to close the gaps making due provision for welding of joints on both sides. The cut rails shall then be connected by use of special fish plates and screw clamps and the line opened to traffic with speed restriction. Permanent repairs
i. As soon as possible the clamped joints shall be welded adopting the same procedure. Additional pair of cut rails and rail cutting equipment shall also be required to adjust the gaps in case they have been disturbed in the intervening period. The speed restriction shall be removed after welding.
ii. The entire panel shall be distressed as soon possible.
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