ISOLIERSTOSS, STOER- UND SCHWACHSTELLE IM GLEIS.

The strain on an insulated rail joint can be analyzed with reference to the movements of the rail due to load deflection and moments. This shows that, even with flush tightening with the usual four-hole fishplates, it is impossible to avoid a 'kink' with considerably greater deflection than the unjointed rail. Laboratory experiments confirm this. This basis is used to derive possible design improvements. It is only possible to quantify the load-bearing properties of new insulated rail joint designs under laboratory conditions. The conditions for these are indicated, together with the results achieved in the experiments.