Lateral Stability of a Ballasted Curved Track

Abstract

This paper investigates the status of lateral stability of a ballasted curved track, which is carried out under four loading scenarios in terms of the factor of safety against displacement as the indicator. Then, the Prud’homme limit is introduced to analyze the equilibrium between the lateral load on a track and the lateral resistance by a track. Finally, a tie spacing formula for sharp curves is recommended to ensure lateral stability. The work has the potential to estimate the critical temperature differential for buckling of a curved track by using a factor of safety of unity in the formula derived for an unloaded track, as a factor of safety of unity represents a unstable equilibrium.