eLibrary Search
The FRA eLibrary contains all the documents that are found throughout the FRA Public Website. Multiple pages on the website may link to the same eLibrary item based on its set of metatdata.
Can I find All FRA Documents in the Library?
Some "documents" may not appear here for the following reasons:
- Document resides on an external site for the record of source, links to the document are provided in context but not in the library as FRA does not maintain this record. This document lives on another website.
- Document has not yet been assigned keywords.
- Document is historical and has been removed from library to avoid confusion with current publications.
- Document is public affairs & policy related, such as press releases, speeches, testimony, or fact sheet. These press-related documents can now be found in the FRA Newsroom.
- Document is related to rules and notices. This information can now be found on the Rulemakings search and the Notices search, respectively.
Technical Reports
Monitoring and Modeling of Differential Movement at Railway Transitions
Keywords: Transition zones; differential movement; bridge approach; unsupported; track geometry; track modulus; modulus
Abstract: The Federal Railroad Administration sponsored a research team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to conduct laboratory and field research of railroad bridge...
Technical Reports
Automated Weld Repair of Manganese Frogs for Extended Service Life
Keywords: Constant voltage; CV; flux-cored arc welding; FCAW; pulse gas metal arc welding; GMAW-P; radiographic testing; RT; ultimate tensile strength; UTS; yield strength; YS; rail frog; rail turnout; frog point; frog wings; solid state welding
Abstract: EWI completed research and testing of an automated weld repair process for austenitic manganese steel railroad frogs. This report covers the second of two projects sponsored by...
Technical Reports
Ballast Fouling Measurement Tool – Phase III
Keywords: Ground-penetrating radar; ballast; fouling; moisture
Abstract: Researchers developed a second-generation RAdar Ballast Inspection Tool (RABIT) based on ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for use by track inspectors. This system is much lighter...
Technical Reports
Relationship of Inspection Methods to Ballast Degradation Models: Phase II
Keywords: Ballast, settlement, mud pumping, fouling index, forecasting, track inspection, track modulus, track, Railway Track Lifecycle Model, RTLM
Abstract: This report is a follow on of the first phase of a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-sponsored project to evaluate lateral ballast behavior and...
Technical Reports
Defect Growth Characterization in Modern Rail Steel
Keywords: Modern rail steel characterization, railhead hardening, detail fracture, fatigue, microstructural gradient in railhead, residual stresses, rail inspection interval
Abstract: This report discusses a comprehensive fatigue and fracture characterization of modern head-hardened rails in reference to legacy rails. The focus is in on detail (i.e.,...