Effects of Thermal Expansion, Vertical Bending Loads, and Horizontal Braking Forces on Long-Span Continuously Welded Rail Systems in Emerging Railway Networks

The objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of thermal expansion, vertical bending loads, and horizontal braking forces on long-span continuously welded rail (CWR) systems in emerging railway networks using finite element modeling in SAP2000. Results obtained reveal that thermal loading generates critical compressive stress exceeding UIC 774-3R limits without expansion devices, while braking forces produce the highest tensile and compressive stresses (up to 10 MPa). Vertical loads, however, have negligible effects on rail integrity. The findings validate the effectiveness of expansion devices and emphasize the need for tailored design strategies for long-span bridges, providing practical insights for high-speed railway infrastructure in developing regions.