An analytical model for the prediction of thermal track buckling in dual gauge tracks

In rail transport, track gauge is one of the principal factors that condition the passage of trains. For technical and economic reasons, in some circumstances it is necessary to build and operate the so-called dual gauge track, in which a third rail is added to allow operation of trains in two separate gauges. Although the problem of lateral buckling of rail tracks under thermal loading has been well researched, the addition of the third rail increases the steel area subjected to thermal loads, and thus requires a more accurate analysis. The objective of this paper is to develop an analytical model to analyse the lateral buckling under thermal loads on dual gauge tracks. An in-depth analysis of the effects of the thermal track buckling response produced by each fundamental parameter is presented and discussed. It is found that the risk of buckling is more in dual gauge tracks when compared with the conventional tracks. Finally, this model establishes a mechanism that can be used to perform a more effective infrastructure management policy.