Since the early 2000s, MxV Rail has been investigating the performance of engineered polymer composite (EPC) ties. Recent field investigations1,2 have found that temperature changes caused more gage variation with track that used EPC ties than with track that used wood ties. Specifically, the gage measurement on track built with EPC ties was 0.15–0.25 inch wider in the afternoon than it was in the cooler temperatures of the morning. Previous simulation efforts3 indicated that both the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the thermal conductivity (TC) properties of the EPC ties could be affecting these variations in the track gage. This Technology Digest presents a comprehensive simulation to understand how the CTE and TC of EPC ties affect track gage. INTRODUCTION EPC ties are generally composed of a post-consumer recycled plastic such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), in addition to any additives,a fillers, or fiber and particle reinforcements that may be…
"*" indicates required fields