Types of Rail Joints According to Position of Sleepers
Suspended Rail Joint
A suspended rail joint is positioned at the midpoint between two consecutive sleepers. This arrangement evenly distributes the load over two sleepers, causing both rail ends to depress when the joint experiences downward pressure. Consequently, suspended rail joints necessitate more frequent maintenance due to increased wear and tear.
Supported Rail Joint
A supported rail joint occurs when the sleeper lies directly beneath the rail joint. Although not commonly utilized presently, it has been determined through experience that supported joints provide sufficient support, especially under heavy axle loads.
Bridge Rail Joint
Similar to a suspended rail joint, a bridge rail joint incorporates a metal bridge section to link the ends of two rails. This design eliminates bending stresses in the rails. However, in practice, it has been found to be impractical, as experiments have shown it to be unfeasible. Consequently, this type of joint is currently not favored for use.