A Review of Case Histories in Failure Analysis of Rails and Thermite Welds
(Room 102A)
08 May 17
11:00 AM
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11:30 AM
The purpose of this presentation is to provide a mechanistic overview of the various types of rail failures. The root cause failure analysis of the rail sections, which failed either in service or after installation, provides crucial information in order to mitigate and predict these type of failures. Understanding the failure of rails, thermite and flash butt welds builds upon understanding of the steel physical metallurgy, heat treatment, casting and solidification, fractographic analysis, operating conditions, etc. The present paper reviews the past years’ investigations and case studies performed by the author on rail failures. It summarizes the methodology of investigations, failure mechanisms, and the remedies delivered to the transport sector in order to prevent similar failures.