Assignment
1. On a curved track with radius 400m:
a) Calculate the difference in rail lengths of outer and inner rails if the gauge is 1.676m
b) If the curve extends for 200m, what is the extra length of outer rail needed?
c) What should be the super-elevation if equilibrium is desired at 90 km/hr?
2. Two straight railway tracks intersect at an angle of 124°. Design a simple circular curve to
connect them with a maximum permissible speed of 100 km/hr if:
Gauge = 1.435m (standard gauge)
Maximum super-elevation = 150mm
Calculate the minimum radius required and actual super-elevation
3. Super-elevation Design Problem:
A broad gauge railway track (1.676m) has a curve of radius 500m. Calculate:
a) The equilibrium super-elevation for a design speed of 100 km/hr
b) If the maximum allowable cant deficiency is 75mm, what is the maximum permissible
speed?
c) What will be the actual super-elevation provided if speed restriction is 80 km/hr
4 Transition Curve Analysis:
For a curved track with:
Design speed = 110 km/hr
Curve radius = 700m
Actual super-elevation = 140mm
Calculate:
a) Required length of transition curve
b) If rate of change is 1:800, verify if the calculated length is adequate
c) Time taken by a train to traverse the transition curve
5 Combined Super-elevation and Transition Problem:
A 3° curve on broad gauge track needs to be designed for:
Maximum speed = 95 km/hr
Cant deficiency = 50mm
Determine:
a) The radius of curve
b) Equilibrium super-elevation
c) Length of transition curve if rate of change is 1:1000
6 Vertical Curve Design:
Two gradients of +1.2% and -0.8% meet at a point. Design a vertical curve if:
Design speed = 120 km/hr
Rate of change = 0.1% per chain
Calculate:
a) Length of vertical curve
b) Maximum ordinate at middle point
c) Ordinates at quarter points
7. Comprehensive Railway Curve Problem:
A railway curve has following parameters:
Radius = 600m
Speed = 85 km/hr
Gauge = 1.676m (BG)
Intersection angle = 40°
Determine:
a) Equilibrium super-elevation
b) Length of transition curve (rate 1:720)
c) Total length of curve including transitions
d) Shift of curve at the centre
8. Advanced Super-elevation Challenge:
A train negotiates a curve with radius 400m. The outer rail suddenly loses 30mm of
super-elevation due to track settlement.
Calculate:
a) The resulting imbalance in forces
b) The immediate speed restriction required
c) If this occurs on a transition curve, what emergency measures are needed?
9 Compound Curve Analysis:
Two curves of radii 600m and 800m are connected without an intermediate straight.
Determine:
a) The shift of the compound curve
b) Required super-elevation for each curve if speed is 90 km/hr
c) How would you design the transition between different super-elevations?
[Link] Stress Analysis:
On a 500m radius curve:
a) Calculate thermal stress if temperature rises by 30°C
b) Combined effect of thermal and centrifugal stress
c) If a train stops on this curve, analyze the additional stress distribution
11 Dynamic Speed Challenge:
A goods train and passenger train share the same curved track:
Goods train speed: 60 km/hr
Passenger train speed: 100 km/hr
Calculate:
a) Optimum super-elevation for mixed traffic
b) Cant excess for goods train
c) Cant deficiency for passenger train
12 Transition Optimization Problem:
For a high-speed curve (160 km/hr):
a) Compare cubic spiral vs clothoid transition
b) Calculate rate of change of lateral acceleration
c) Optimize transition length for passenger comfort
13 Complex Vertical Profile:
Three gradients meet:
+1.2% to -0.8% (Summit curve)
-0.8% to +1.5% (Sag curve)
Calculate:
a) Combined effect on train resistance
b) Minimum curve lengths needed
c) Energy consumption difference compared to uniform grade
14 Point and Crossing Challenge:
For a 1 in 12 turnout on a curved track:
a) Calculate dynamic gauge widening required
b) Effect on super-elevation through turnout
c) Maximum permissible speed on main and branch line
15 Advanced Track Geometry:
A reverse curve is required due to site constraints:
Total deviation: 45°
Available distance: 800m
Design:
a) Optimal radius for each curve
b) Required straight length between curves
c) Super-elevation arrangement
16 Multi-parameter Optimization:
Design a curve for:
Mixed traffic (freight and passenger)
Speed range: 60-130 km/hr
Mountain terrain
Limited right of way
Optimize:
a) Radius and super-elevation
b) Transition arrangements
c) Speed restrictions for different train types
17 Maintenance Planning Challenge:
A curved track shows:
Uneven wear on outer rail
Variable super-elevation
Track settlement at transition
Analyze:
a) Probable causes
b) Required monitoring frequency
c) Maintenance intervention levels