Analysis of the growth dynamics of operational failures of metal composite joints in the conditions of the Trans-Siberian and Central Siberian Railways

The article presents an assessment of the growth dynamics of failures of insulating metal-composite joints (MCJ) in the operational conditions of the Trans-Siberian and Central Siberian Railways within the West Siberian Directorate of Infrastructure. The analysis of the growth dynamics of failures of insulating joints was carried out on the example of the Z, K, and Kar distances of the Central Siberian Railway and the T, B, Ch, and Ka distances of the Trans-Siberian Railway on the I and II tracks. The analysis included 24 experimental sections on track I, 9 experimental sections on track II on the Central Siberian Railway, and 26 experimental sections on track I and 19 experimental sections on track II on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The data required for the analysis was taken from the annual reports on the continuous track (in the period 2020...2024).

The changes in the failure rate of the insulating joints of the continuous track were obtained as a function of the tonnage passed (0...1 200 million tons) in the particularly heavy-duty conditions of the Siberian railways, within the West Siberian Directorate of Infrastructure.

The average values of the share of failures of insulating joints were determined on a cumulative basis for the Central Siberian and Trans-Siberian Railways. The intensity of change in the share of failures of insulating joints from the interval of carried tonnage was calculated, which amounted to: for the Trans-Siberian Railway: for track 1 – 6.7% per 100 million tons and for track 2 – 5.9% per 100 million tons; for the Central Siberian Railway: for track 1 – 5% per 100 million tons and for track 2 – 1.5% per 100 million tons.

The average values of the failure rate of the insulating joints of the continuous track were determined.

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