© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association 4-1-1
4
Part 1
Design1
— 1995 —
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section/Article Description Page
1.1 Recommended Rail Sections (1995) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-2
1.2 Joint Bars and Assemblies (1991) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-10
1.3 Rail Drillings, Bar Punchings and Bolts (1991) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-15
1.4 Design for Track Bolts and Nuts (1991). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-17
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Description Page
4-1-1 115 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-3
4-1-2 119 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-4
4-1-3 132 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-5
4-1-4 133 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-6
4-1-5 136 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-7
4-1-6 140 RE Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-8
4-1-7 141 AB Rail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-9
4-1-8 Joint Bar Assembly for 115 RE and 119 RE Rail (115 RE shown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-10
4-1-9 Joint Bar and Assembly for 132 RE and 136 RE Rail (132 RE Shown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-11
4-1-10 Joint Bar and Assembly for 133 RE Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-12
4-1-11 Joint Bar and Assembly for 140 RE Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-13
4-1-12 Recommended Head Easement for Joint Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-14
4-1-13 Recommended Rail Drillings and Bar Punchings for 115 RE, 119 RE, and
133 RE, Utilizing 1 Inch Track Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-16
4-1-14 Recommended Rail Drillings and Bar Punchings for 132 RE, 136 RE, and 140 RE Rails and Joint Bars,
Utilizing 1c Inch Track Bolts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-16
4-1-15 Oval Neck Track Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-17
1 References, Vol. 16, 1915, pp. 397, 1117; Vol. 49, 1948, pp. 375, 614; Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1177, 1413, Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 498, 768; Vol. 92,
1991, p. 49; Vol. 96, p. 28.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-2 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
LIST OF FIGURES (CONT)
Figure Description Page
4-1-16 Elliptic Neck Track Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-18
4-1-17 Track Bolt Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-19
LIST OF TABLES
Table Description Page
4-1-1 Recommended Rail Drillings, Bar Punchings and Track Bolts for 115 RE,
119 RE, 132 RE, 133 RE, 136 RE and 140 RE Rails and Joint Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-15
4-1-2 Oval Neck Track Bolts (See Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-17
4-1-3 Elliptic Neck Track Bolts (See Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-18
4-1-4 American Standard Track Bolt Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1-19
SECTION 1.1 RECOMMENDED RAIL SECTIONS (1995)
For recommended rail sections refer to Figure 4-1-1 through Figure 4-1-7.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-3
Figure 4-1-1. 115 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
3.9156
3.0363
4.2947
11.2465
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 114.6758
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 65.9
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
18.1
22.0
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.00
6. Lateral moment of inertia 10.7
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
7.90
3.90
8. Height of shear center above base 1.45
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
4.69
1 References, Vol 16, 1915, pp. 399, 1117; Vol. 35, 1934, pp. 875, 1144; Vol 38, 1937, pp. 251, 635; Vol 48, 1947, pp. 660, 908; Vol. 54, 1953,
pp. 1177; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 498, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-4 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-2. 119 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
4.3068
3.0363
4.2946
11.6378
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 118.6657
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 71.4
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
19.4
22.8
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.13
6. Lateral moment of inertia 10.8
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
8.16
3.94
8. Height of shear center above base 1.51
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
5.11
1 References Vol. 72, 1971, p. 160; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-5
Figure 4-1-3. 132 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
4.4274
3.6149
4.8701
12.9124
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 131.6622
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 87.9
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
22.4
27.4
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.20
6. Lateral moment of inertia 14.4
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
9.57
4.79
8. Height of shear center above base 1.57
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
5.31
1 References, Vol. 21, 1920, p. 1455; Vol. 34, 1933, pp. 640, 824; Vol. 39, 1938, pp. 397, 802; Vol. 48, 1947, pp. 662, 908; Vol. 54, 1953, pp.
1177, 1413; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 498, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p 49.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-6 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-4. 133 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
4.7279
3.4645
4.8757
13.0681
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 133.2498
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 86.2
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
22.3
26.9
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.20
6. Lateral moment of inertia 14.4
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
9.62
4.81
8. Height of shear center above base 1.57
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
5.69
1 References, Vol. 90, 1989, p. 48; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-7
Figure 4-1-5. 136 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
4.8187
3.6375
4.8702
13.3263
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 135.8826
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 94.20
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
23.70
28.20
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.34
6. Lateral moment of inertia 14.44
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
9.83
4.82
8. Height of shear center above base 1.64
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
6.24
1 References, Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 498, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49; Vol. 96, p. 28.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-8 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-6. 140 RE Rail Section1
1. Rail Area (square inch.)
Head
Web
Base
Whole Rail
5.0827
3.7092
4.8757
13.6675
2. Rail Weight (lb/yd) (based on specific gravity of rail steel = 7.84) 139.3617
3. Moment of Inertia about the neutral axis 95.9
4. Section modulus of the head
Section modulus of the base
24.3
28.6
5. Height of neutral axis above base 3.36
6. Lateral moment of inertia 14.9
7. Lateral section modulus of the head
Lateral section modulus of the base
9.95
4.98
8. Height of shear center above base 1.67
9. Torsional rigidity is ‘KG’ where G is the modulus of rigidity and
K = (error for K greater than 10%)
6.85
1 References, Vol. 55, 1954, pp. 775, 1098; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-9
Figure 4-1-7. 141 AB Rail Section
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-10 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
SECTION 1.2 JOINT BARS AND ASSEMBLIES (1991)
For joint bars and assemblies refer to Figure 4-1-8 through Figure 4-1-12.
Figure 4-1-8. Joint Bar Assembly for 115 RE and 119 RE Rail (115 RE shown)1
1 References, Vol. 48, 1947, pp. 661, 908; Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1178, 1414; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-11
Figure 4-1-9. Joint Bar and Assembly for 132 RE and 136 RE Rail (132 RE Shown)1
1 References, Vol. 48, 1947, pp. 661, 908; vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1178, 1414; vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-12 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-10. Joint Bar and Assembly for 133 RE Rail1
1 References, Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-13
Figure 4-1-11. Joint Bar and Assembly for 140 RE Rail1
1 References, Vol. 57, 1956, pp. 784, 1088; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-14 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-12. Recommended Head Easement for Joint Bars1
1 References, Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1178, 1414; Vol. 60, 1959, pp. 874, 1166; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-15
SECTION 1.3 RAIL DRILLINGS, BAR PUNCHINGS AND BOLTS1 (1991)
For rail drillings, bar punchings and bolts refer to Table 4-1-1 and Figure 4-1-13 through Figure 4-1-14.
1 References, Vol. 37, 1936, pp. 462, 996; Vol. 48, 1947, pp. 656, 908; Vol. 49, 1948, pp. 376, 614; Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1179, 1414; Vol. 55, 1954,
pp. 777, 1098; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 500, 768; Vol. 92, 1991, p. 49.
Table 4-1-1. Recommended Rail Drillings, Bar Punchings and Track Bolts for
115 RE, 119 RE, 132 RE, 133 RE, 136 RE and 140 RE Rails and Joint Bars
Description
Dimensions in Inches
115 RE and
119 RE 133 RE
132 RE and
136 RE 140 RE
Rail Drillings
a ���� 3 3���� 3
b 32 32 32 32
c 6 6 6 6
d (Note 1) 6 6 6 6
Bar Punchings
24O4-Hole Bar
e 7c 7c 7c 7c
f 6 6 6 6
g 2���� 2���� 2���� 2����
6-Hole Bar
h 7c 7c 7c 7c
i 6 6 6 6
j 6 6 6 6
k 2���� 3���� 2���� 2����
m 36 38 36 36
Track Bolt
D 1 1 1c 1c
L 6 6 6 6
I 23 23 23 23
Note 1: This drilling to be omitted for 4-hole bars.
Rail
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
4-1-16 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Figure 4-1-13. Recommended Rail Drillings and Bar Punchings for 115 RE, 119 RE, and
133 RE, Utilizing 1 Inch Track Bolts
Figure 4-1-14. Recommended Rail Drillings and Bar Punchings for 132 RE, 136 RE, and
140 RE Rails and Joint Bars, Utilizing 1c Inch Track Bolts
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-17
SECTION 1.4 DESIGN FOR TRACK BOLTS AND NUTS1 (1991)
For the dimensions of track bolts and nuts refer to Figure 4-1-15 through Figure 4-1-17 and Table 4-1-2
through Table 4-1-4.
1 References, Vol. 26, 1925, pp. 635, 1419; Vol. 27, 1926, pp. 482, 1351; Vol. 31, 1930, pp. 1458, 1771; Vol. 35, 1934, pp. 877, 1145; Vol. 37,
1936, pp. 429, 991; Vol. 48, 1947, pp. 656, 908; Vol. 52, 1951, pp. 602, 826; Vol. 53, 1952, pp. 843, 1139; Vol. 54, 1953, pp. 1179, 1414; Vol.
61, 1960, pp. 832, 1218; Vol. 62, 1961, pp. 586, 952; Vol. 63, 1962, pp. 501, 768. Reapproved with revisions 1962.
Table 4-1-2. Oval Neck Track Bolts (See Note 1)
D A H r1 r2 O R P r3 V L I
Threads
per Inch
Nominal
Dia Over
Thread
(Note 2)
Head Neck
Length
Under
Head
Min
Thread
Length
2
e
:
f
�
����
f
�����
�����
�� ���
� �
�
������
��
�
�����
����
�����
��
�����
�
�
�����
�����
������
���
������
����
�����
��
�
�����
����
�����
��
��
�
� �
�
�����
����
� ����
����
�����
� ���
���
�
� ���
� ��
����
d
����
���
���
���
One-half
body
diameter
of bolt
Same as
body
diameter
of bolt
Under 7²
by steps
of ��
²
From 7² to
10² by
steps of
���²
�c
�3
�:
�
�3
�2
13
11
10
9
8
7
Additional Sizes Now in Use But Not Recommended For New Design
�����
�����
1����
� �
�
1�����
1�����
���
�
�����
���
1����
1 ����
1e
���
�����
� �
�
1����
1����
1d
1����
1����
1�����
����
2
����
Same as
above
Same as
above
Same as
above
1f
2c
2d
10
9
8
Note 1: All dimensions given in inches.
Tolerances: Length (L) ±cO
Neck (O and R) ± ����O
Head (A and H) ±����O
Screw Threads: The screw threads on track bolts shall conform to the American Standard Coarse
thread series with fit as specified. They may be formed by cutting or rolling
Note 2: In ordering bolts specify the nominal diameter “D,” over the threads and not the body diameter.
Figure 4-1-15. Oval Neck Track Bolts
Rail
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4-1-18 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Table 4-1-3. Elliptic Neck Track Bolts (See Note 1)
D A H r1 r2 O R P r5 r6 V L I
Threads
per Inch
Nominal
Dia
Over
Thread
(Note 2)
Head Neck
Length
Under
Head
Min
Thread
Length
:
f
1
1c
1����
1�����
1�����
1
���
�����
�����
e
�����
1 ���
1� ���
1e
1 ���
�
�
�����
�����
�����
1����
1d
12
�����
1����
1�����
1�����
����
2
����
e
���
2
d
����
����
�����
�����
1
Same as
body
diamete
r of bolt
Under
7" by
steps of
3"
From 7"
to 10" by
steps of
2"
1:
2
23
22
10
9
8
7
Additional Sizes Now in Use But Not Recommended For New Design
�����
�����
1� ���
1�����
1���
1�����
�����
���
�����
1��
1�����
1:
�����
����
�����
1c
1��
1��
�
1��
1��
�
1���
���
���
���
�����
�����
�����
���
���
���
Same as
above
Same as
above
1:
2
23
10
9
8
Note 1: All dimensions given in inches.
Tolerances: Length (L) ± ���O
Neck (O and R) ± ����O
Head (A and H) ± ����O
Screw Threads: The screw threads on track bolts shall conform to the American Standard
Coarse thread series with fit as specified. They may be formed by cutting or rolling
Note 2: In ordering bolts specify the nominal diameter “D,” over the threads and not the body
diameter.
Figure 4-1-16. Elliptic Neck Track Bolts
Design
© 2002, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering 4-1-19
Table 4-1-4. American Standard Track Bolt Nuts
Nominal
Diameter
(Note 1)
Width Across Flats W
Thickness U (Note 2) Chamfer
(Note 3)
(Optional
Nut
Only)
Recommended for Medium
Carbon Nuts
Recommended for Low
Carbon Nuts
D Nominal Maximum Minimum Nominal Maximum Minimum Nominal Maximum Minimum E
:
f
1
1c
13
1����
1e
1�����
1.250
1.4375
1.6250
1.8125
1.212
1.394
1.575
1.756
:
f
1
1c
0.774
0.901
1.028
1.155
0.710
0.833
0.956
1.079
f
1
1c
13
0.901
1.028
1.155
1.282
0.833
0.956
1.079
1.187
3
3
d
2
Additional Sizes – Now in Use But Not Recommended for New Design
�����
�����
1
1����
1���
13
12
12
1e
1�����
1.2500
1.5000
1.5000
1.6250
1.6875
1.212
1.450
1.450
1.575
1.631
f
1c
1c
1c
13
0.901
1.155
1.155
1.155
1.282
0.833
1.079
1.079
1.079
1.187
3
d
d
d
2
Note 1: All dimensions given in inches.
Note 2: 60° chamfer is optional when specified. (Dimensions for medium carbon nut are same as American
Standard Heavy Nut, ASA B-18.2 for sizes shown.)
Note 3: This dimension not specified on ASA Standard B-18.2, which specifies diameter of top circle
instead.
Figure 4-1-17. Track Bolt Nuts
Rail
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4-1-20 AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
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