Pandrol
Vertical Rail Stress Equipment
Vertical Rail Stress Equipment is an internationally accredited scientific instrument which is used to nondestructively measure the Stress Free Temperature (SFT) of Continuously Welded Rail (CWR). It is an essential tool in modern Rail Stress Management program to ensure management of track buckling and rail break risk.
Management of Track Buckling and Rail Break Risk
Taking a VERSE measurement involves unclipping a short length of rail track, raising that rail up onto two simple supports and then deflecting the rail using the VERSE equipment. As the VERSE system deflects the rail it accurately measures the force and displacement profile of the deflection. The higher the tension in the rail, the more force will be required to deflect the rail. Using this principle and recorded data, together with the known rail temperature at the time of measurement, the SFT can be evaluated directly with no damage caused to the rail.
The VERSE system eliminates the need to cut the rail, significantly reducing the time and cost of evaluating track SFT. It also measures the SFT directly from the rail installed in track, and therefore requires no prior knowledge of the rail residual stress at the time of manufacture.
The system ensures the highest level of accuracy through compensation for rail section geometric properties, rail wear, track curvature and by using a simple and easily followed user procedure.
Rail Deflection Process
The handheld computer steps users through the measurement process with critical data being inputted by the user. It then guides the user through the rail deflection process and returns an instant SFT result trackside together with an evaluation of data quality. The lift data files can be stored on the handheld and transferred to a PC to be analysed and stored in the office space.
The VERSE system is the recognised standard has been evaluated by a number of railway research institutes including; British Rail Research, Transportation Technology Centre Inc. (Subsidiary of Association of American Railroads) and Railway Research Institute, Czech Republic.
The Pandrol (Vortok) Sales Team are available to discuss the application of VERSE and how it can be used to enhance your business safety and efficiency.
For more information visit pandrol.com
