Short Notes on Handling of 90 UTS Rails

HANDLING OF 90 UTS RAILS

1. PROTECTION OF STRAIGHTNESS- Barely visible straightness deviations, for example, a deflection of 0.75mm over 1.5 meters span renders a rail unacceptable and require careful handling and

stacking therefore.

AVOID- 1. Heavy static loading

2. Sudden impact of dynamic loading

3. Localised point on line contact loading in stacking.

4. Excessive end drop and flange overlaps while lifting/moving.

5. Criss – Cross stacking of rails of alternative layers at rightangle as far as possible. DO

1. Keep rails horizontal and straight while lifting/moving.

2. Stack rails of same length on firm level base of well drained platform, preferably of concrete.

3. Stack subsequent layers on uniformly placed spacers in vertical alignment with base supports.

4. Keep rail ends in vertical alignment

5. Place rails of shorter length in upper layers.

2. PROTECTION OF RAIL SURFACE - Surface notches of even less than 0.75mm in depth are liable to cause rail fracture in service.

Therefore- AVOID

i. Impact abrasion of rails against separators in wagon.

ii. Round link chain slings for securing the rails. DO

i. Use conventional slings for lifting rails made of flat link chains.

ii. Lifting of rails preferably with magnet lifting device.

3. PREVENTION OF METALLURGICAL DAMAGE These rails are thermally very sensitive and are likely to develop metallurgical defects, if exposed to localised heating, which produces very hard, brittle and cracked metallurgical structures which may lead to sudden failures. Therefore, AVOID i. Heating, flame cutting on or adjacent to rails. ii. Contact with electric area and molten metal splashes i.e. from loose cables or adjacent welding operations.

DO Flame cutting when found essential after pre heating minimum of 10cm of rail length on either side of the cut to about 250-300 degree ̊C by uniform movement of heating torch.

4. PROTECTION FROM CONTACT WITH INJURIOUS SUBSTANCES These rails can withstand normal degree of rusting but localised corrosion pitting may cause subsequent rail fractures. Therefore AVOID Contact with injurious substances which produce high corrosion of steel i.e. acids, alkalis, salts etc. DO Stack rails on well drained platform preferably of concrete.

5. SLINGING PRINCIPLES The single point aligning increases risk of excessive lending and surface damage to the rails the overhang beyond the outer lifting joint should not be greater than one half the distances between lifting points.

 Therefore, AVOID

i. Single point slinging DO Use two point slinging for rail length upto 18m. Next four point slinging with 26 met. Rails.

Recommended location of lifting points for various rail lengths are tabulated below –

Use of lifting beams fitted with slings would be necessary for handling rails in rail rolling plants, ports and flash butt welding plants.

6. SAFETY OF PERSONNEL AVOID Standing under suspended loads. DO

1. Use protective gloves and clothing’s to minimise the risk abrasion.

2. Wear distinctive colures helmet and clothing for easy identification by crane and machinery drivers to avoid accidents.