59 CHAPTER 8 EOMETRIC DESIGN OF TRACK 8.1 Introduction A railway track laid along a straight line is said 10 be an ideal track. But, due to general topography of the terrain and some other factors, it becomes necessary to deviate the track alignment from its straight alignment Hence. a curve or a combination of curves is inserted between the straights Design Parameters. (1) Gradients (2) Grade compensation (3) Radius and degree of curve (4) Super elevation or cant (5) Safe speeds of trains (6) Curves: Horizontal and vertical (7) Widening of gauge on curves 8.2 Gradients The amount of slope in longitudinal direction in a railway track, is called a gradient or grade. When a track rises in the direction of movement of trains. if is Known as an up- dient or falling gradient 1s the one when the gradient or positive gradient whereas a down gi railway track looses elevation in the direction of the movement of trains. Gradients are measured by the following methods: (a) The number of units of rise or fallin 100 units of horizontal distance (1%, 2" 4, ete ) (b) The horizontal distance for one unit of rise or fall Chin SO, 1 in 100, ete).60 8.3 Classification of the Gradients (1) Ruling gradients (2) Momentum gradients (3) Pusher gradients (4) — Gradients in station yards Ruling gradient: Ruling gradient 1s the maximum gradient, which may be permitted on the section of the track Grade resistance: The extra amount of energy required by the locomotive to pull the train up the gradient, is called grade resistance. G Tya18 - eee _ts Figure 8.1 Grade Resistance Let 6 =slope of the track Ww train load ‘The component of the train load acting in opposite direction of motion Extra tractive power required “sin @ tan @ when U 1s very small) w BE AB W gradient or Grade resistance =W. , rate of grade W sin8 Wsin® » Wtan6 Example 8.1: A train weighing 500 tonnes is pulled up a gradient | in 200 by a locomotive Determine the grade resistance61 Solution Given Ww 500 tonnes, Grade + 1 in 200 ©. Grade resistance - W x grade Grade resistance = 2 5 tonnes Ans. 8.4 Grade Compensation Whenever a train is pulled along a curve, an additional tractive force is required, The ruling gradient is the maximum gradient on a particular section of the track. Ifa curve lines on a ruling gradient, the total resistance due to the gradient and curvature will exceed the tuling gradient. In order to avoid the total resistance beyond the permissible ruling gradient, the gradients are reduced on curves. This reduction in gradient, is known as grade compensation on the curves. The curve resistances are generally expressed as a percentage per degree ofa curve BG. track 0.04 % per degree M.G. track 0.03 0 per degree N.G. track 0.02 per degree Example 8.2: If the ruling gradtent is 1 in 250 on a particular section of BG. track and if'a curve of 4 degrees 1s situated on this ruling gradient, what should be the actual ruling gradient Solution As per Indian Railways recommendations, the grade compensation for B.G. tracks is 0.04 % per degree of curve ©.Grade compensation for 4 degree curve O04 x4 0.16% Ruling gradient is lin 250 250 x 100 = 0.4 %o