Lateral Load-Resisting Systems for Composite Buildings

To address a recent challenge related to broken spikes in premium elastic fastening systems that have led to at least ten derailments and require manual walking inspections as well as build upon mechanistic-empirical (M-E) design principles for future fastening system component design, this paper quantifies the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal fastening system loads under revenue service traffic in a curve that has regularly experienced spike fastener fatigue failures. Previous data has indicated that the high rail of Track 3 experienced the most failures at this location. The data from this investigation sheds light into why failures are more predominant at this location than others and how the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal loads cannot be considered independently. Specifically, while the magnitude of the applied loading was the lowest on the high rail of Track 3, the threshold for failure was also the lowest given the operations at this location led to unloading of the high rail, thus indirectly highlighting the importance of friction within a fastening system. The data also show the high rail of Track 3 was subjected to the highest L/V load ratios and was an outlier in the typical lateral load reversals applied likely leading to spike stress reversals and thus a shorter fatigue life. Finally, based upon the data, it is recommended that to mitigate spike failures, as well as similar fastener challenges in other track types (e.g. rail seat deterioration, etc.) railroads should ensure trains operate close to the balance speed and use fastening system that transfer loads through friction. This study also provides novel data for M-E design of fastening systems.

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Large Deflection of a Rectangular Plate Resting on a Pasternak-Type Elastic Foundation

Journal of Applied Mechanics ◽

10.1115/1.3424116 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 509-511 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

P. K. Ghosh

Keyword(s):

Rectangular Plate ◽

Elastic Foundation ◽

Large Deflection ◽

Lateral Load ◽

Bending Moments ◽

Shear Forces ◽

Simply Supported ◽

Base Parameters ◽

Square Plate

The problem of large deflection of a rectangular plate resting on a Pasternak-type foundation and subjected to a uniform lateral load has been investigated by utilizing the linearized equation of plates due to H. M. Berger. The solutions derived and based on the effect of the two base parameters have been carried to practical conclusions by presenting graphs for bending moments and shear forces for a square plate with all edges simply supported.

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