Geometric Design of

Railway Track

CE2303 Railway Engineering

 Introduction

• Parameters determines or affect geometry

of the track

• Gradient

• Speed
• Super-elevation etc.
Parameter: A numerical or measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a
system or sets the conditions of its operation.
 Introduction

• Most of the train derailment due to:

• Track Defects

• Vehicular Defect
• Operational Defect

• Civil Engineer is mainly concerned with track

defects
 Introduction

• Engineer should aware of the track defects

and how to remove those defects so that no
derailment takes place.

Broken Rail
 Introduction

• Railway track should be designed, suiting to

load and speed of the train, and meeting the
safety and economy requirements.
 Introduction

• A train may derail on the straight track due

to the following defects in the track:

• Defective cross-levels
• Defective alignment

• Defective Gauge
• Low joints
• Cross-levels
• Rail Joint – unless uniform level
 Introduction

• A train may derail on the curved track due

to the following defects in the track:

• Improper super-elevation
• Improper radius of curve

• Improper speed
GRADIENT
 Gradients

• Provided to negotiate rise or fall

 Gradients

• Represented by distance travelled for a rise

or fall
RULLING GRADIENT
 Ruling Gradient
• Steepest gradient in a section

• Determines maximum load hauled by a

locomotive
• Power of locomotive decided based on ruling

• All other gradient in the section flatter than

ruling
PUSHER OR HELPER GRADIENT
 Pusher or Helper Gradient
• Hilly areas gradient steeper than ruling

• Extra locomotive required to pull entire load

• Called as pusher or helper gradient

Momentum GRADIENT
 Momentum Gradient
• Steeper than ruling

• Falling gradient followed by rising gradient

• Falling gradient acquires good speed

• No obstacles in the form of signals

GRADIENT @ Station Yards
 Gradient @ SY
• Prevent standing vehicle rolling from yard due
to gravity/strong wind

• Reduce additional friction require to start

locomotive

• Max. 1 in 400, recommended 1 in 1000 in IR

Grade Compensation
 Grade Compensation
• Curve provide extra resistance

• Grade reduced at curves

• BG 0.04% per degree

• MG 0.03%
• NG 0.02% per degree
Causes for Rail Accidents in India
Many a times accidents occur on bridges during rainy season.

The reason is no regular inspection of bridges and tracks.

More over some of the bridges are very old and unable to carry fast speed
trains or a even normal train.