How the Fastening System's Components Work Together
- What functions do elastic clips, bolts and spikes respectively assume in the fastening system?
Elastic clips mainly provide elastic fastening force. They tightly hold the rail by using their own elastic deformation, absorb the impact energy when the train passes, and prevent the rail from moving. Bolts are used to connect various components of the fastening system. By tightening the bolts, fastening force is applied to ensure that all components are closely combined. Spikes fix the sleepers in the ballast, prevent the sleepers from moving, and assist elastic clips and bolts to firmly fix the rails on the sleepers, jointly maintaining the stability of the track structure.
- How do under - rail pads and pressure plates cooperate to ensure track safety?
The under - rail pad is located between the rail and the sleeper, playing a buffering and adjusting role. It can absorb the impact generated by the train load, reduce the damage to the sleeper, and can also fine - tune the height of the rail to keep the track smooth. The pressure plate is installed on both sides of the rail to assist in fixing the rail. The pressure plate cooperates with the under - rail pad. Through the fastening force of the elastic clip and the bolt, the rail is firmly fixed on the sleeper, restricting the lateral and longitudinal displacement of the rail, preventing the rail from creeping, and ensuring the safety of train running.
- What is the correlation in the material selection of each component in the fastening system?
Elastic clips are usually made of spring steel because of its good elasticity and strength, which can meet the needs of long - term repeated stress. Bolts are generally made of high - strength alloy steel to withstand various forces generated by tightening and train operation, ensuring the reliability of the connection. The material of spikes needs to be selected according to the use environment and sleeper type. For example, spikes on wooden sleepers can be made of ordinary carbon steel, while spikes on concrete sleepers are mostly made of alloy steel to enhance anchoring force. Under - rail pads are often made of elastic materials such as rubber or plastic, and pressure plates are mostly made of steel. The materials of each component are matched with each other to jointly ensure the performance of the fastening system.
- What are the differences in component coordination between different types of fastening systems?
In bolted fastening systems, components such as elastic clips, bolts and gauge baffles work together by tightening bolts, such as Type Ⅰ and Type Ⅱ elastic clip fasteners. Bolt - free fastening systems, such as Type Ⅲ elastic clip fasteners, directly hold the rail tightly through the special structure and elastic deformation of the elastic clip itself, omitting bolt connection. The coordination between components depends more on the performance and installation accuracy of the elastic clip. The fastening system in the turnout area has complex stress. In addition to conventional components, it may also be equipped with special pads and pressure plates. Each component needs to coordinate more accurately to adapt to the special working conditions at the turnout.
- What impact does the wear of fastening system components have on cooperative work?
The wear of elastic clips will lead to a decrease in elasticity and insufficient clamping force, which cannot effectively fix the rail, making the rail prone to displacement. Bolt wear may cause thread slipping, loss of fastening force, and loosening of connections between components. Spike wear will weaken its anchoring force on the sleeper, and the stability of the sleeper will be affected. After the under - rail pad is worn, its buffering performance decreases, increasing the impact on the sleeper and other components. The wear of the pressure plate may make it unable to closely fit the rail, affecting the fixing effect of the rail. The wear of all components will damage the cooperative work of the fastening system and endanger the track safety.