Short Notes on Buckling of track, Cause and prevention

Buckling of track, Cause and prevention.-

1. Buckling of Track: - When the compressive stresses become higher than the resistance (Lateral or longitudinal or both) offered by the track structure then alignment of track (vertically or laterally or both) distorted, this phenomena is called the buckling of track.

2. Cause:- Any act which reduces the resistance offered by the track such as:-

i. Weakening or removal connections between rail and sleepers such as missing or in effectiveness of rail to sleepers fitting.

ii. Reduction of ballast resistance such as inadequate ballast cushion (which provides 70% track resistance to thermal forces) are by loose packing under sleepers

iii. Lose/disturbed ballast profile.

iv. Uncompacted Ballast profile.

Prevention :-

i. To ensure complete and effective rail to sleeper fitting and fastening.

ii. Full and compact ballast cushion and profile. No maintenance or renewal activities should be done beyond the prescribed temperature