Published: Građevinar 64 (2012) 12
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Hardness distribution over cross-section of grooved rails
Abstract
Head hardened rails have been introduced In order to extend the rail-replacement cycles for Zagreb tram tracks. During their precurving, the rail cracking occurred. Hardness tests were performed and tensile strength was calculated to establish whether unusual mechanical properties of rail steel are responsible for the cracking. Tests have shown that hardness values, despite significant variation over the rail cross-section, are higher than the prescribed minimum. It is assumed that rail problems encountered may be due to changes in rail steel microstructure resulting from an increase in rail head hardness during its thermal treatment.
Keywordsgrooved rails; rail head hardening; hardness measurements; tensile strength