Rail infrastructure plays a critical role in the transportation sector, it is responsible for the efficient movement of goods and people across countries and regions. However, maintaining a robust rail network is not without challenges.
One of the recurring problems faced by rail systems worldwide is the occurrence of voiding and buckling, which can have severe consequences on both safety and operations. Diverse geographic topologies means these issues vary from country to country and region to region.
For example, in Britain, hot weather can cause disruption to rail services due to rails buckling. According to Network Rail, our rails have a stress-free temperature of 27 degrees which is the UK mean summer rail temperature1.
But when the air temperature reaches 30 degrees, the temperature on the rail can actually be considerably higher, up to 20 degrees higher, and when steel rails get hot they expand and buckle. This is also a problem in other countries, but those with warmer climates than ours stress their rails to withstand higher temperatures.
While it may seem a simple solution, in the UK rails should be stressed for higher temperatures. But it isn’t that simple, as this would help them cope with higher temperatures but could cause the increased risk of tension on the rails in the winter which could lead to rails shearing off their anchorage.
This article aims to explore the unique challenges posed by voiding and buckling in different geographical settings and the corresponding mitigation strategies.
Understanding Voiding and Buckling
Voiding and buckling are two distinct but interrelated issues that affect rail infrastructure. Voiding refers to the formation of gaps or voids beneath the tracks, typically caused by the movement or settlement of underlying soil or ballast materials. Buckling, on the other hand, occurs when the rail tracks expand due to high temperatures, leading to lateral displacement or a “buckling” effect.
Geographic Influences on Voiding and Buckling
Geographic topology plays a significant role in the occurrence and severity of voiding and buckling issues. Let’s examine how different geographic factors affect these problems across various regions:
- High-Temperature Environments: Regions with high-temperature climates, such as deserts or tropical areas, are more prone to buckling. The expansion of rail tracks due to excessive heat can cause track misalignments, leading to derailments and service disruptions. To mitigate buckling in these regions, rail operators often employ strategies like continuous welded rails with expansion joints and monitoring systems to detect and prevent rail movement.
- Mountainous and Hilly Terrains: Regions with mountainous or hilly topography introduce additional challenges for rail systems. The irregular and undulating nature of the land can result in voiding issues, as the soil or ballast materials may not provide consistent support. Slope instability and landslides can lead to voids beneath the tracks, requiring regular monitoring and reinforcement of the rail infrastructure. Reinforcement measures may include soil stabilisation techniques and the use of geo-synthetic materials.
- Coastal Areas: Coastal regions are characterised by their proximity to water bodies and the unique challenges they bring. Rail infrastructure in these areas is susceptible to voiding and buckling due to the presence of moisture, saltwater intrusion and corrosive effects. Proper drainage systems, protective coatings and periodic inspections become critical to mitigating these issues and maintaining the structural integrity of the tracks.
- Urban Environments: Urban areas present their own set of challenges for rail infrastructure. Voiding and buckling can occur due to the construction and development activities in densely populated regions. Excavations, underground utilities and poor soil compaction during urbanisation can create voids beneath the tracks. Regular inspection, geotechnical investigations, and coordination with local authorities are necessary to identify potential voiding and buckling risks in urban environments.
- Cold Climate Regions: In regions experiencing sub-zero temperatures, rail systems face unique challenges associated with frost heaving. The freezing and thawing of moisture within the ground can result in ground movement, leading to voids and track misalignment. Rail operators employ techniques like insulation, sub-grade stabilisation and frost barriers to mitigate the impact of freezing temperatures on the rail infrastructure.
RailSense Monitoring Solutions
RailSense’s rail IoT monitoring solutions, VoidSense and BuckleSense, can play a vital role in addressing the issues of voiding and buckling on rail infrastructure across these different geographic regions.
In regions prone to buckling due to high temperatures, BuckleSense can continuously monitor the rail tracks for temperature changes. By collecting temperature data, analysing trends, and comparing them with established thresholds, the system can identify potential buckling risks in advance. Rail operators can then take preventive measures, such as implementing speed restrictions or deploying cooling techniques, to avoid track misalignments.
VoidSense and BuckleSense can be invaluable in mountainous and hilly regions.
VoidSense employs sensors and advanced algorithms to monitor the subsurface conditions beneath the tracks. It can detect voids, settling or slope instability that may compromise the track’s stability. This early detection allows rail operators to address the issues promptly, whether through targeted reinforcement, slope stabilisation or geo-synthetic interventions.
In coastal areas, VoidSense can detect moisture levels and soil conditions, providing early warnings about potential voiding risks caused by moisture intrusion or corrosion. Additionally, BuckleSense can monitor temperature fluctuations, helping identify thermal expansion risks near water bodies. Rail operators can then implement preventive measures, such as improved drainage systems and anti-corrosion measures, to protect the rail infrastructure.
VoidSense and BuckleSense are well-suited for monitoring rail infrastructure in urban areas. VoidSense’s sensors can detect ground movements and settlements caused by construction activities or inadequate soil compaction. By continuously monitoring the subsurface conditions, RailSense’s solution can identify potential voiding risks before they escalate. BuckleSense’s temperature monitoring capabilities complement this by detecting potential buckling risks due to urban heat islands or localised temperature variations.
In regions experiencing freezing temperatures, RailSense’s solutions offer valuable insights for mitigating voiding and buckling risks. VoidSense can detect frost heaving, providing early warnings about ground movements caused by freezing and thawing cycles. Rail operators can then implement preventive measures like insulation, frost barriers, or sub-grade stabilisation techniques. BuckleSense complements this by monitoring temperature changes and detecting potential buckling risks associated with freezing temperatures.
By deploying modern IoT monitoring solutions, rail operators can gain real-time visibility into voiding and buckling risks, enabling them to take proactive measures to prevent accidents, disruptions and costly repairs. The data-driven approach provided by RailSense’s VoidSense and BuckleSense products, helps optimise maintenance efforts, reduce downtime and enhance the overall safety and reliability of rail infrastructure in diverse geographical settings.
To ensure the future safety and efficiency of rail networks, the time has come for rail operators and authorities to implement appropriate solutions to monitor, detect and mitigate risks, ensuring the smooth and safe operation of rail infrastructure worldwide.