Rail Pad
Rail pads are elastic polyurethane mats which are interposed between steel rails and tie sleepers to protect the sleeper top from wearing and impacting. The starting stiffness of a rail pad is designed to not be high so that their relative deformation under the spring clip toe loads is greatly substantial. In this way, it can guarantees the rail pad maintaining in close contact with the rail despite of any vertical movements of the latter. In addition, the reason why rail pads made up of rubber or plastic is to dampen the shocks of vibration of a passing train.
A rail pad is essential in reducing shock and vibration in a rail system. The pad laid under the rail to ensure:
· Load distribution over a larger surface
· Elimination of load concentration and the resultant fatigue stresses
· Centering of loads on the supporting element
· Absorption of uneven contact surfaces between rail and support
· Reduction o…