Lateral stability of CWR tracks in transition zones of open-deck steel bridges

Relative displacements are introduced between steel bridges and continuously welded rail (CWR) tracks as the bridge girders expand contract due to thermal effects. Depending on fastening profile CWRs girders, additional forces transmitted two, when compression at transition zones of bridge, risk track buckling increases. The aim this paper is study CWR in open-deck bridges. In order do so, a finite element model developed calibrated based available literature. then used effects number profiles zone bridge. It shown that girder temperature location lateral misalignment primary factors affecting zone. Increasing by 45 °C can cause drop 11.5 temperature, reduction almost 19% compared open track. Furthermore, using zero toe load fasteners reduce zone, yet there little resist increasing gap size case broken winter.