SQUATS AND STUDS
A classic squat.
(A)
(B)
into and classification of studs was done by Stuart Grassie1, who noted the following characteristics: • They show little-to-no plastic deformation (not ratchetting-driven). • They form very quickly, often within 10 MGT or less. • They form on old and new rail, in tangents and in curves. • They form in the presence of white etching layers/martensite (WELs) • They are not known to develop in tunnels. And perhaps most importantly, the preventive grinding programs that worked to control rtands.com
A stud/squat-type defect (above) and detail of stud crack development (below).
March 2024 // Railway Track & Structures 15