NEW EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH FOR STUDYING RESIDUAL-STRESSES IN RAILS

The distribution of residual stresses in the head of a rail produced b y rolling cycles is investigated by dissection and non-dissection meth ods. In the dissection method, small grid elements are formed on the s urface of the rail slice by slot cutting. The residual stresses are re lieved by the cutting process, In the non-dissection method, residual stresses are relieved by an elevated temperature. The relieved residua l deformations are detected by moire interferometry for both methods. The results obtained by both methods are compared and the non-dissecti on method is recommended.