Why Railroads Don't Need Expansion Joints
A friendly overview of thermal effects on railways.
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Just as all materials have a mostly linear relationship between temperature change and length change, all materials also have a similar relationship between stress and change in length (often called strain). And this is part of the secret to continuous welded rail: restrained thermal expansion. You can overcome one with the other.
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This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.
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Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios
Practical Engineering
Grady Hillhouse is a professional civil engineer and hobbyist everything else in San Antonio, Texas. Randall Munroe said, "You can look at practically any part of anything manmade around you and think, Some engineer was frustrated while designing this. I...