Numerical analysis of rail joint in a vertical applied load and determining the possible location of joints
Eneyw Gardie, Habtamu Dubale, Ewnetu Tefera, Yihunie Mognhod Bezzie, Chala Amsalu
Abstract
In the railway industry, rail joints are the critical element where more stress is developed, and due to that catastrophic failure occurs. This study focuses numerical analysis of rails in a vertical load and identify the stresses generated on the contact between rails and rail join. The analysis is performed through different three possible positions of the rail joints mainly, rail joint between the two sleepers, rail joint near to one of the sleepers, and rail joint exactly on the sleeper. The 3D modeling of the bolted rail joint, was modeled in SOLIDWORK 17 and the analysis in ANSYS 18.1 workbench. From the result, 48.2% von Mises stress, 77.7% deformation, and 44.7% shear stress reduction once rail joint is on the sleeper in comparison with the remaining position of the rail joint.