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UNIT-1
RAILWAY PLANNING
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13. Define rail joints? List out the types of rail joints?
A rail joint is the connection between two rails. It is necessary to hold together the adjoining
ends of the rails in the correct position. The types of joints are,
1.Supported rail joint
2.Suspended rail joint
3.Bridge joint
4.Welded rail joint
5.Staggered or Broken rail joint
6.Square or Even joint
14. Define FFR?
Along with B.H rails, flat footed rails or vignole’s rail was also developed. The rail section
having their foot rolled to a flat are known as flat footed rails.
15. Define Bull headed and double headed rails?
The rails sections having their head of more dimensions then that of their foot are known as bull
headed rails (B.H.).
Double headed (D.H) rails of dumb-bell sections were used at early periods. The rails having
their head and foot of same dimensions are known as double headed rail (D.H.).
16. Define creeps in rails?
Creep is defined as longitudinal movement of rails with respect to sleepers in a track. Creep is
common to all railway tracks. Its magnitude widely varies from several centimetres to negligible
length in a month. Creeps should be measured frequently at an interval of about 3 months. Creep in
excess of 150mm should not be permitted on standard track.
17. What do you meant by coning of wheels?
Wheels are shaped like a cone or made as a conical segment.
This provides an outward slope of 1 in 20 to treads of wheel.
This sloping is known as coning of wheels.
Due to coning of wheels, pressure from wheels is always towards inner edge of rails. This
accelerates the wearing of rails. To reduce the wearing, foot of the rail also tilted to a slope of 1 in
20. Wooden sleepers are cut at top under rail seats. Cutting of wooden sleepers at a slope of 1 in 20
to provide tilting of rails is known as adzing of sleepers.
25. Define track stress? List the types of stress involved in a Railway track?
The stress occurs along the permanent way due to many loads called as track stress. Stresses on
railway tracks are caused due to various reasons:
Wheel loads
Dynamic effect of wheel loads
Overbalance of driving wheels of locomotive
Horizontal thrust
Pressure exerted by flanges of wheel
Irregularities in the track
Additional stresses on curves
26. What is tilting/canting of rails?
To eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages, “tilting of rails” is done.
The base plates are inclined at a slope of 1 in 20 inwards.
This is called as canting of rails.
This helps to maintain the gauge properly and minimize the eccentric loading at inner edge.
27. Write in your own words about Rail fastenings?
Rail fastenings are used to keep rail in proper position and to set points and crossings properly.
The important fittings used in permanent way are,
Fish Plates
Spikes
Bolts
Chairs
Blocks
Keys
Plates
28. Define Kinks in Rails? (Imp)
Ends of adjoining rails move slightly out of position is known as kinks.
CAUSES:
-Loose packing at joints.
-Defect in gauge and alignment
-Uneven wear of rail head.
EFFECTS:
-Unpleasant jerks when vehicles pass over them.
-A series of kinks at curve may cause defect in gauge, alignment and camber resulting in
serious risk in turning operation of train.
29. Draw a diagram for ‘Formation in Embankment and Cutting’.
Refer PPT diagram
30. What is meant by grade compensation?
31. Define cant excess and cant deficiency.
Cant deficiency (Cd): It is the difference between the theoretical cant required for such high speeds
and the actual cant provided.
Cant excess (Ce): It is the difference between the actual cant provided and the theoretical cant
required for such a low speed.
32. What is meant by cant?
REFER Q.NO 23
33. Define negative super-elevation?
When the main line is on a curve and has a turnout of contrary flexure leading to a branch line,
the super elevation necessary for the average speeds of trains running over the mainline cannot be
provided.
34. Define points and crossings?
The problem of division of trains from one track to another is solved by special arrangements
known as points and crossings. Crossing is a device, provided at locations, where two rails cross
each other.
35. Define gradient.
Gradient is the change in level of railway track. Two types of gradient are:
1. Rising gradient 2. Falling gradient
Rising gradient: It is one where track rises in the direction of movement.
Falling gradient: It is one where track falls in the direction of movement.
Gradients can be generally classified as:
1. Ruling gradient
2. Momentum gradient
3. Pusher or helper gradient
4. Gradient at station yards
36. Define turnouts and its components?
Turnout is the simplest combination of points and crossings which enables one track either a
branch line or siding to take off from another track. The objective is to provide facilities for safe
movement of trains in either direction or both the tracks. The important components of turnouts are,
1. List the various gauges used in Indian Railways? (May/ June 2012)
1. Rails provide a hard, smooth and unchanging surface for passage of heavy moving loads with a minimum
2. Rails bear the stresses developed due to heavy vertical loads, lateral and barking forces and thermal
stresses.
3. The rail material is such that it gives minimum wear to avoid replacement charges and failures of rails due
to wear.
Obligatory points are controlling points which govern the alignment of railway tracks.
Some important obligatory points are; (i) Important towns and cities (ii) Shortest width
Pressure of horizontal components near the inner edge of rails has a tendency to accelerate wearing of
rails.
The equilibrium cant is provided on the basis of the average speed of different trains on the track. This
equilibrium cant or super elevation will fall short of that required for speed higher than average speed. This
2013)
7. On a B.G track of 4° curve, equilibrium cant is provided for a speed of 60 km/hr. Calculate
Given data:
Degree of curve = 4°
Solution
8. List the uses of remote sensing in route alignments. (Nov / Dec 2013).
Gives a birds’ eye view of a large areas. Ground condition can be defined with a combination of
Formation is the base over which the ballast is spread. Sometimes the natural ground may not meet
the requirements for placing ballast. In such cases a raises bank is constructed over the natural ground which
is called the embankment. Sometimes, the formation below the natural ground is made which is called
cutting.
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2. Explain the conventional and modern methods of surveying for track alignment?
The surveys conducted to fix a best possible alignment are,
Map study
Traffic survey
Reconnaissance survey
Preliminary survey or Initial location survey
Detailed survey or Final location survey.
Map study:
Available maps for the survey areas should be studied before starting survey.
Desk study helps in drawing various suitable alignment for easy reconnaissance.
Survey maps of India or Aerial maps are used.
These maps show contours, topographical features and physical land utilization like buildings,
cultivation etc..,
Tentative alignment can be draw for conducting survey in a systematic manner.
This process is known as map study or paper location.
The following important maps are prepared for study
a) Topographical map: Shows all physical features (i.e.) land, buildings, rivers, bridges,
tunnels, contours etc..,
b) Agricultural map: Shows land, fertility value and agricultural products.
c) Industrial map: Shows location of industries, their nature and further development plans.
Data collected during different stage of survey are same.
But degree of accuracy and depth varies.
It is very rough in case of reconnaissance survey and precious and in depth in case of detailed
survey.
The different data collected are,
Topographical features
Soil characteristics.
Geological formation- soil strata, rocky structures and slips.
Hydrological data-high flood and low flood levels, rainfall etc..,
Cross drainage structures-bridges, culverts etc..,
Proximity to construction materials.
Traffic survey:
To determine the potential of available traffic.
To determine the viability of new line or branch line, to ensure reasonable return on the investment.
Present and future traffic potential should be considered.
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