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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.

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To search an exact document title or key phrase, place quotations around the text. Example: "U.S. Government Grade Crossing Research & Stakeholder Engagement" Entering keywords without quotations will search the eLibrary for all occurrences of the keywords.

25 Jul 2014

Technical Reports

Evaluation of Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics: Concepts Report

Author
Mehdi Ahmadian and Michael Craft

Subject Track, Tracks & Structures, Track/Train Interactions

Keywords: Roller Rig, Wheel-Rail Contact Mechanics, Rail Vehicle Dynamics, Contact Patch Dynamics, Wheel Forces and Moments

Abstract: A need exists for a new test rig design with advanced sensing technologies that will allow the railroad industry and regulatory agencies to better understand the wheel-rail...

Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/28
Office
RDI-21

18 Jul 2014

Technical Reports

Load Environment of Rail Joint Bars—Phase II Joint Bar Service Environment and Fatigue Analysis

Author
Muhammad Akhtar, Kevin Koch, Roy Wiley, and David Davis

Subject Track, Tracks & Structures, Track/Train Interactions

Keywords: Strain levels, joint bar fatigue analysis, residual stress, joint bar strength

Abstract: Detailed analysis of measured bending strains shows that the foundation deflections have the most significant effect on the magnitude of strains. All other factors, such as track...

Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/22
Office
RDI-21

20 May 2013

Technical Reports

Comparison of FRA Regulations to International High-Speed Rail Standards

Author
Matthew Witte, Nicholas Wilson, Robert Fries, and Huimin Wu

Subject High-Speed Passenger Rail, Track, Tracks & Structures, Track/Train Interactions

Keywords: 49CFR Transportation, international high speed rail standards

Abstract: This report compares international standards with selected parts of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Code of Federal Regulation Title 49 CFR Transportation. The parts were...

Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/30
Office
RRD

30 Apr 2013

Technical Reports

Load Environment of Rail Joint Bars – Phase I Effects of Track Parameters on Rail Joint Stresses and Crack Growth

Author
Muhammad N. Akhtar and David D. Davis

Subject Track, Tracks & Structures, Track/Train Interactions

Keywords: rail joint bars, insulated joints, joint failures

Abstract: The load environment of joint bars was assessed under a variety of loading and track conditions. Bending stresses, thermal stresses, and residual stresses were measured on...

Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/24
Office
RRD

22 Feb 2013

Technical Reports

Measurement of Vertical Track Deflection from a Moving Rail Car

Author
Shane Farritor and Mahmood Fateh

Subject Track, Tracks & Structures, Track/Train Interactions

Keywords: Vertical track deflection, track deflection, rail deflection, track measurement system, vertical track modulus, track modulus, track stiffness, track geometry measurement

Abstract: The University of Nebraska has been conducting research sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Research and Development to develop a system that measures...

Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/08
Office
RRD