In order to realize interoperability of railway system, the reconstruction and modernization plan of railway network in the Republic of Serbia should be harmonized with technical requirements of European railway network. The paper presents hierarchical approach to harmonization of legal and technical regulations in the area of railway infrastructure, with special attention drawn to the rail fastening systems. Performance requirements for rail fastening systems were analysed according to the adopted standard series SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146

Lazarević, Luka

Mićić, Milica

Popović, Zdenka

GraFar - Repository of the Faculty of Civil Engineering

    Publisher Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Niš Prof. Nenad T. Pavlović, Dean   Editor Prof. Miloš Milošević Prof. Dušan Stamenković   Technical preparation Miroslav Mijajlović Milan Banić Aleksandar Miltenović Nikola Petrović   Cover design Prof. Miloš Milošević   Number of copies 150  Printing SD PRESS DOO, Smederevo             Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia has participated in printing costs of the Proceedings of the XVII International Scientific-Expert Conference on Railways - RAILCON 2016   All the publications in these Proceedings have the authorship, whereas the authors of the papers carry entire responsibility for originality and content.  CIP - Каталогизација у публикацији - Народна библиотека Србије, Београд    629.4(082) 656.2(082) 625.1(082) 338.47(497.11)(082)    SCIENTIFIC-Expert Conference of Railways (17 ; 2016 ; Niš)    Proceedings / XVII Scientific-Expert Conference on Railways - RAILCON  '16, October 13-14, 2016, Niš ; [editor Miloš Milošević, Dušan  Stamenković]. - Niš : Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2016 (Smederevo :  SD Press). - XX, 262 str. : ilustr. ; 29 cm    Tiraž 150. - Napomene uz tekst. - Bibliografija uz svaki rad. - Registar.    ISBN 978-86-6055-086-8    a) Железничка возила - Зборници b) Железнички саобраћај - Зборници c)  Железничке пруге - Зборници d) Србија - Саобраћајна политика COBISS.SR-ID 226310668 S C I E N T I F I C - E X P E RT  C O N F E R E N CE  O N  RA I LW AY SRAILCON '16  1 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, mvilotijevic@grf.bg.ac.rs 2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, zdenka@grf.bg.ac.rs 3 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, llazarevic@grf.bg.ac.rs 137 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS ON EUROPEAN RAILWAY NETWORK Milica VILOTIJEVIĆ 1 Zdenka POPOVIĆ 2 Luka LAZAREVIĆ 3 Abstract – In order to realize interoperability of railway system, the reconstruction and modernization plan of railway network in the Republic of Serbia should be harmonized with technical requirements of European railway network. The paper presents hierarchical approach to harmonization of legal and technical regulations in the area of railway infrastructure, with special attention drawn to the rail fastening systems. Performance requirements for rail fastening systems were analysed according to the adopted standard series SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146. Keywords – track, rail fastening systems, performance requirements, harmonization, interoperability.1. INTRODUCTION Harmonization of the technical regulation in the area of railway infrastructure is still in progress in the Republic of Serbia. European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has created a group of standards EN 13481-Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems, which consists of eight parts as listed below: - Part 1: Definition [1], - Part 2: Fastening systems for concrete sleepers [2], - Part 3: Fastening systems for wood sleepers [3], - Part 4: Fastening systems for steel sleepers [4], - Part 5: Fastening systems for slab track with rail on the surface or rail embedded in a channel [5], - Part 6 (European Prestandard): Special fastening systems for attenuation of vibration [6], - Part 7: Special fastening systems for switches and crossings and check rails [7], - Part 8: Fastening systems for track with heavy axle loads [8]. The above mentioned parts 1-8 are adopted by the Institute for standardization of Serbia (ISS) [9]. The Serbian standard series SRPS EN 13481 is identical with the European EN 13481 standard series.  Furthermore, the standard series EN 13146 “Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems“ supports the requirements in the EN 13481 series and consists of the following parts: - Part 1: Determination of longitudinal rail restraint [10] (Fig.1), - Part 2: Determination of torsional resistance [11], - Part 3: Determination of attenuation of impact loads [12], - Part 4: Effect of repeated loading [13] (Fig.2), - Part 5: Determination of electrical resistance [14] (Fig.3), - Part 6: Effect of severe environmental conditions [15], - Part 7: Determination of clamping force [16], - Part 8: In service testing [17], - Part 9: Determination of stiffness [18] (Fig.4). The parts 1-9 of the standard series EN 13146 are adopted by the ISS [19]. The Serbian SRPS EN 13146 standard series is identical with the EN 13146 European standard series.  The adopted SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146 standard series are not translated into Serbian language except the Serbian titles and scopes. Significant obstacle to the effective implementation of the adopted SRPS EN standards in engineering practice is the lack of their sense expressed in Serbian technical language.  In this paper, performance requirements for rail fastening systems on rail lines with design speed up to 160 km/h and axle load up to 225 kN were considered according to the adopted SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146 standard series. RAILCON ’16                                 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS 138  Fig.1. Test arrangement for determination of axial force during the longitudinal displacement of the rail [20]  Fig.2. Laboratory test with repeated loading [20]  Fig.3. Determining the electrical resistance in wet conditions, in laboratory  Fig.4. Dynamic stiffness test arrangement for complete rail fastening assemblies 2. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FASTENING SYSTEMS ON CONCRETE SLEEPERS The definitions of the terms used in the EN 13481 series were specified in the European Standard EN 13481-1:2012 [1]. In accordance with [1], “fastening system is assembly of components which secures a rail to the supporting structure and retains it in the required position whilst permitting any necessary vertical, lateral and longitudinal movement”.  This standard series considers specific requirements for fastening systems depending on the type of supporting structure (concrete sleepers [2], wood sleepers [3], steel sleepers [4], slab track [5]), as well as requirements for special fastening systems (for attenuation of vibration [6], switches and crossings and check rails [7] and  for track with heavy axle loads [8]). Since the fastening systems on concrete sleepers in ballasted track are usually in use, the paper presents the performance requirements for fastening systems in accordance with [2]. These requirements apply to main lines having a radius of curvature greater than 150 m and a maximum design axle load of 260 kN, as well as to light rail systems having a radius of curvature greater than 40 m and a maximum design axle load of 130 kN (Tab. 1). Tab. 1. Fastening categories in accordance with [2] Categories of fastening system Maximum design axle load [kN] Minimum curve radius [m] A 130 40  B 180 80 C 260 150 D 260 400 E 350 150 Note: The maximum axle load for A and B categories does not apply to maintenance vehicle  The requirements apply to direct and indirect fastening systems which act on the foot and/or web of the rail. Further, they apply for the rail sections in accordance with [21] (excluding 49 E4) and with [22]. It should be noted that this standard is not applicable to fastening rigid fastening systems (e.g. K fastening system which is often represented on the railway lines in Serbia). Performance requirements for fastening systems for use on concrete sleepers in ballasted track include longitudinal rail restraint, torsional resistance, attenuation of impact loads, effect of repeated loading, electrical resistance of fastening system and sleeper, effect of exposure to severe environmental conditions, overall dimensions, effect of fastening system tolerances on track gauge, clamping force, cast-in fastening components, and in-service testing. Required longitudinal rail resistance depends on the speed limit and the special requirements of substructure. In that sense, the longitudinal rail resistance shall be not less than 7 kN (controlled over the measurement process according to EN 13146-1) XVII International Scientific-expert Conference on Railways                             Serbia, Niš, October 13-14, 2016 139 on the conventional rail lines and not less than 9 kN on high-speed lines (≥250 km/h).  In accordance with the design of the track supporting structure, the minimum requirement for longitudinal restraint may be reduced by agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer. For example, the utilization of expansion devices to prevent excessive longitudinal displacements and forces on the long railway bridges, is expensive and bad solution in regard to traffic safety and comfort, as well as maintenance costs. Therefore, it can be applied an alternative solution of fastening system with reduced rail longitudinal restraint. Fig.5 and Fig.6 show the PANDROL® ZLR (Zero Longitudinal Restraint) system designed to keep track forces from being transmitted to bridge, to hold the rail vertically in place, to provide lateral restraint and to prevent rail rollover.   Fig.5. Pandrol ZRL fastening systems with the gap under toe insulator and foot of rail  Fig.6. Installed fastening system with ZLR clips (Pandrol VIPA system) on a bridge The torsional resistance is measured in accordance with [2] and the result reported.  For fastening systems described as having medium or high attenuation of dynamic loads, test shall be conducted in accordance with [3] and the result reported. Test results for medium attenuation shall be in the range from 15 % to 30 % and for high attenuation > 30 %. The assembly static stiffness and assembly low frequency dynamic stiffness shall be measured in accordance with [19]. At the request of the customer, the rail pad static stiffness, the pad low frequency dynamic stiffness and the assembly high frequency dynamic stiffness should be measured in accordance with [19] and [2] (loads for measurement of stiffness were defined in [2]). The effect of repeated loading shall be determined by the procedure defined in [13] using the test loads and positions defined in [2]. In accordance with [13], the following measurements shall be performed before and after repeated loading:  - longitudinal rail restraint (permitted change ≤ 20 %), - vertical static stiffness change (permitted change ≤ 25 %), and - clamping force (permitted change for fastening systems which act on the foot of the rail ≤ 20 %). The electrical insulation shall be not less than 5 kQ when measured in accordance with [14]. The user may specify a higher value for use with certain track circuits (guidance on traction currents is given in [23] and SRPS EN 50122-2:2011).  Effect of exposure to severe environmental conditions is determined in accordance with [15] based on the salt spray test. After the test, the fastening assembly shall be capable of being dismantled, without failure of any component and re-assembled using manual tools provided for this purpose. Fig.7 shows the envelope for rail fastening systems (which act on the foot of the rail) for concrete sleepers in ballasted track and rail section in accordance with [21] excluding 49 E4 and [22]. This envelope is necessary to avoid interference with vehicles including track maintenance vehicles. It should be noted, for web support fastening systems, the minimum flangeway shall comply with national regulations and the envelope of the fastening systems shall be provided by the supplier.  Fig.7. Envelope for rail fastening systems (which act on the rail foot) for concrete sleepers in ballasted track The manufacturer shall provide a drawing of the interface between the fastening system and the sleeper. The variation in the static track gauge which RAILCON ’16                                 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS 140 can arise from the fastening system shall not exceed ± 1 mm. Clamping force for fastening systems (acting on the rail foot) shall be determined by the procedure prescribed in [16] and the result shall be reported. The requirement for clamping force is not applicable to web support fastening systems. In-service testing shall be carried out in accordance with [17] at the request of the customer. Other specific requirements for fastening system must be defined by the customer. 3. CONCLUSION In this paper, technical requirements for rail fastening systems on rail lines with design axle load up to 350 kN were considered in accordance with EN 13481 European Standard series. It points to the mandatory requirements and according to the European standards and specific requirements according to the conditions of the project. The paper presents the performance requirements for fastening systems on concrete sleepers in ballasted track since these fastening systems are usually in use. European standards series EN 13481 and EN 13146 were adopted by the Institute for Standardization of Serbia as the Serbian standards SRPS EN 13481 (Parts 1-8) and SRPS EN 13146 (Parts 1-9). Implementation of SRPS EN standards is difficult because they were published only in English.  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia through the research project No. 36012: “Research of technical-technological, staff and organizational capacity of Serbian Railways, from the viewpoint of current and future European Union requirements”.  REFERENCES [1] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-1:2012, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 1: Definitions, 2012. [2] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-2:2012, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 2: Fastening systems for concrete sleepers, 2012. [3] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-3:2012, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 3: Fastening systems for wood sleepers, 2012. [4] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-4:2012, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 4: Fastening systems for steel sleepers, 2012. [5] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-5:2012, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 5: Fastening systems for slab track with rail on the surface or rail embedded in a channel, 2012. [6] CEN/TC 256: ENV 13481-6:2002, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 6: Special fastening systems for attenuation of vibration, 2002. [7] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-7:2012,   Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 7: Special fastening systems for switches and crossings and check rails, 2012. [8] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-8:2006, Railway applications - Track - Performance requirements for fastening systems - Part 8: Fastening systems for track with heavy axle loads, 2006. [9] http://www.iss.rs/en/standard/?keywords=13481&Submit= [10] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-1:2012+A1:2014, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 1: Determination of longitudinal rail restraint, 2014. [11] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-2:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 2: Determination of torsional resistance, 2012. [12] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-3:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 3: Determination of attenuation of impact loads, 2012. [13] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-4:2012+A1:2014, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 4: Effect of repeated loading, 2014. [14] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-5:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 5: Determination of electrical resistance, 2012. [15] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-6:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 6: Effect of severe environmental conditions, 2012. [16] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-7:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 7: Determination of clamping force, 2012. [17] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-8:2012, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 8: In service testing, 2012. [18] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-9:2009+A1:2011, Railway applications - Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 9: Determination of stiffness, 2011. [19] http://www.iss.rs/en/standard/?keywords=13146&Submit=  [20] Vojnotehnički institut: Izveštaj o ispitivanjima kolosečnog pričvrsnog pribora Vossloh W14, Beograd, 2007. [21] CEN/TC 256: EN 13674-1:2011, Railway applications - Track - Rail - Part 1: Vignole railway rails 46 kg/m and above, 2011. [22] CEN/TC 256: EN 13674-4:2006+A1:2009, Railway applications - Track - Rail - Part 4: Vignole railway rails from 27 kg/m to, but excluding 46 kg/m, 2009. [23] CLC/SC 9XC: EN 50122-2:2010, Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the return circuit - Part 2: Provisions against the effects of stray currents caused by d.c. traction systems, 2010.    

Performance requirements for rail fastening systems on European railway network

 GraFar - Repository of the Faculty of Civil Engineering

  
  
Publisher 
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Niš 
Prof. Nenad T. Pavlović, Dean 
 
 
Editor 
Prof. Miloš Milošević 
Prof. Dušan Stamenković 
 
 
Technical preparation 
Miroslav Mijajlović 
Milan Banić 
Aleksandar Miltenović 
Nikola Petrović 
 
 
Cover design 
Prof. Miloš Milošević 
 
 
Number of copies 
150 
 
Printing 
SD PRESS DOO, Smederevo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia has participated in 
printing costs of the Proceedings of the XVII International Scientific-Expert Conference on Railways - 
RAILCON 2016 
 
 
All the publications in these Proceedings have the authorship, whereas the authors of the papers carry 
entire responsibility for originality and content. 
 
CIP - Каталогизација у публикацији - 
Народна библиотека Србије, Београд 
   
629.4(082) 
656.2(082) 
625.1(082) 
338.47(497.11)(082) 
   
SCIENTIFIC-Expert Conference of Railways 
(17 ; 2016 ; Niš) 
   Proceedings / XVII Scientific-Expert 
Conference on Railways - RAILCON  
'16, October 13-14, 2016, Niš ; [editor 
Miloš Milošević, Dušan  
Stamenković]. - Niš : Faculty of 
Mechanical Engineering, 2016 (Smederevo :  
SD Press). - XX, 262 str. : ilustr. ; 29 
cm 
   
Tiraž 150. - Napomene uz tekst. - 
Bibliografija uz svaki rad. - Registar. 
   
ISBN 978-86-6055-086-8 
   
a) Железничка возила - Зборници b) 
Железнички саобраћај - Зборници c)  
Железничке пруге - Зборници d) Србија - 
Саобраћајна политика 
COBISS.SR-ID 226310668 
S C I E N T I F I C - E X P E RT  
C O N F E R E N CE  O N  
RA I LW AY S
RAILCON '16  
1 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, mvilotijevic@grf.bg.ac.rs 
2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, zdenka@grf.bg.ac.rs 
3 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, Belgrade, llazarevic@grf.bg.ac.rs 
137 
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING 
SYSTEMS ON EUROPEAN RAILWAY NETWORK 
Milica VILOTIJEVIĆ 1 
Zdenka POPOVIĆ 2 
Luka LAZAREVIĆ 3 
Abstract – In order to realize interoperability of railway system, the reconstruction and 
modernization plan of railway network in the Republic of Serbia should be harmonized with 
technical requirements of European railway network. The paper presents hierarchical approach to 
harmonization of legal and technical regulations in the area of railway infrastructure, with special 
attention drawn to the rail fastening systems. Performance requirements for rail fastening systems 
were analysed according to the adopted standard series SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146. 
Keywords – track, rail fastening systems, performance requirements, harmonization, 
interoperability.
1. INTRODUCTION 
Harmonization of the technical regulation in the 
area of railway infrastructure is still in progress in the 
Republic of Serbia. European Committee for 
Standardization (CEN) has created a group of 
standards EN 13481-Railway applications - Track - 
Performance requirements for fastening systems, 
which consists of eight parts as listed below: 
- Part 1: Definition [1], 
- Part 2: Fastening systems for concrete sleepers 
[2], 
- Part 3: Fastening systems for wood sleepers [3], 
- Part 4: Fastening systems for steel sleepers [4], 
- Part 5: Fastening systems for slab track with rail 
on the surface or rail embedded in a channel [5], 
- Part 6 (European Prestandard): Special fastening 
systems for attenuation of vibration [6], 
- Part 7: Special fastening systems for switches 
and crossings and check rails [7], 
- Part 8: Fastening systems for track with heavy 
axle loads [8]. 
The above mentioned parts 1-8 are adopted by the 
Institute for standardization of Serbia (ISS) [9]. The 
Serbian standard series SRPS EN 13481 is identical 
with the European EN 13481 standard series.  
Furthermore, the standard series EN 13146 
“Railway applications - Track - Test methods for 
fastening systems“ supports the requirements in the 
EN 13481 series and consists of the following parts: 
- Part 1: Determination of longitudinal rail 
restraint [10] (Fig.1), 
- Part 2: Determination of torsional resistance 
[11], 
- Part 3: Determination of attenuation of impact 
loads [12], 
- Part 4: Effect of repeated loading [13] (Fig.2), 
- Part 5: Determination of electrical resistance 
[14] (Fig.3), 
- Part 6: Effect of severe environmental 
conditions [15], 
- Part 7: Determination of clamping force [16], 
- Part 8: In service testing [17], 
- Part 9: Determination of stiffness [18] (Fig.4). 
The parts 1-9 of the standard series EN 13146 are 
adopted by the ISS [19]. The Serbian SRPS EN 13146 
standard series is identical with the EN 13146 
European standard series.  
The adopted SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS EN 13146 
standard series are not translated into Serbian 
language except the Serbian titles and scopes. 
Significant obstacle to the effective implementation of 
the adopted SRPS EN standards in engineering 
practice is the lack of their sense expressed in Serbian 
technical language.  
In this paper, performance requirements for rail 
fastening systems on rail lines with design speed up to 
160 km/h and axle load up to 225 kN were considered 
according to the adopted SRPS EN 13481 and SRPS 
EN 13146 standard series. 
RAILCON ’16                                 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS 
138 
 
Fig.1. Test arrangement for determination of axial 
force during the longitudinal displacement of the rail 
[20] 
 
Fig.2. Laboratory test with repeated loading [20] 
 
Fig.3. Determining the electrical resistance in wet 
conditions, in laboratory 
 
Fig.4. Dynamic stiffness test arrangement for 
complete rail fastening assemblies 
2. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR 
FASTENING SYSTEMS ON CONCRETE 
SLEEPERS 
The definitions of the terms used in the EN 13481 
series were specified in the European Standard EN 
13481-1:2012 [1]. In accordance with [1], “fastening 
system is assembly of components which secures a rail 
to the supporting structure and retains it in the required 
position whilst permitting any necessary vertical, 
lateral and longitudinal movement”.  
This standard series considers specific 
requirements for fastening systems depending on the 
type of supporting structure (concrete sleepers [2], 
wood sleepers [3], steel sleepers [4], slab track [5]), as 
well as requirements for special fastening systems (for 
attenuation of vibration [6], switches and crossings 
and check rails [7] and  for track with heavy axle 
loads [8]). 
Since the fastening systems on concrete sleepers in 
ballasted track are usually in use, the paper presents 
the performance requirements for fastening systems in 
accordance with [2]. These requirements apply to 
main lines having a radius of curvature greater than 
150 m and a maximum design axle load of 260 kN, as 
well as to light rail systems having a radius of 
curvature greater than 40 m and a maximum design 
axle load of 130 kN (Tab. 1). 
Tab. 1. Fastening categories in accordance with [2] 
Categories of 
fastening 
system 
Maximum 
design axle 
load [kN] 
Minimum 
curve radius 
[m] 
A 130 40  
B 180 80 
C 260 150 
D 260 400 
E 350 150 
Note: The maximum axle load for A and B 
categories does not apply to maintenance vehicle 
 
The requirements apply to direct and indirect 
fastening systems which act on the foot and/or web of 
the rail. Further, they apply for the rail sections in 
accordance with [21] (excluding 49 E4) and with [22]. 
It should be noted that this standard is not applicable 
to fastening rigid fastening systems (e.g. K fastening 
system which is often represented on the railway lines 
in Serbia). 
Performance requirements for fastening systems 
for use on concrete sleepers in ballasted track include 
longitudinal rail restraint, torsional resistance, 
attenuation of impact loads, effect of repeated loading, 
electrical resistance of fastening system and sleeper, 
effect of exposure to severe environmental conditions, 
overall dimensions, effect of fastening system 
tolerances on track gauge, clamping force, cast-in 
fastening components, and in-service testing. 
Required longitudinal rail resistance depends on 
the speed limit and the special requirements of 
substructure. In that sense, the longitudinal rail 
resistance shall be not less than 7 kN (controlled over 
the measurement process according to EN 13146-1) 
XVII International Scientific-expert Conference on Railways                             Serbia, Niš, October 13-14, 2016 
139 
on the conventional rail lines and not less than 9 kN 
on high-speed lines (≥250 km/h).  
In accordance with the design of the track 
supporting structure, the minimum requirement for 
longitudinal restraint may be reduced by agreement 
between the purchaser and manufacturer. For 
example, the utilization of expansion devices to 
prevent excessive longitudinal displacements and 
forces on the long railway bridges, is expensive and 
bad solution in regard to traffic safety and comfort, as 
well as maintenance costs. Therefore, it can be applied 
an alternative solution of fastening system with 
reduced rail longitudinal restraint. Fig.5 and Fig.6 
show the PANDROL® ZLR (Zero Longitudinal 
Restraint) system designed to keep track forces from 
being transmitted to bridge, to hold the rail vertically 
in place, to provide lateral restraint and to prevent rail 
rollover.  
 
Fig.5. Pandrol ZRL fastening systems with the gap 
under toe insulator and foot of rail 
 
Fig.6. Installed fastening system with ZLR clips 
(Pandrol VIPA system) on a bridge 
The torsional resistance is measured in accordance 
with [2] and the result reported.  
For fastening systems described as having medium 
or high attenuation of dynamic loads, test shall be 
conducted in accordance with [3] and the result 
reported. Test results for medium attenuation shall be 
in the range from 15 % to 30 % and for high 
attenuation > 30 %. 
The assembly static stiffness and assembly low 
frequency dynamic stiffness shall be measured in 
accordance with [19]. At the request of the customer, 
the rail pad static stiffness, the pad low frequency 
dynamic stiffness and the assembly high frequency 
dynamic stiffness should be measured in accordance 
with [19] and [2] (loads for measurement of stiffness 
were defined in [2]). 
The effect of repeated loading shall be determined 
by the procedure defined in [13] using the test loads 
and positions defined in [2]. 
In accordance with [13], the following 
measurements shall be performed before and after 
repeated loading:  
- longitudinal rail restraint (permitted change ≤ 20 
%), 
- vertical static stiffness change (permitted change 
≤ 25 %), and 
- clamping force (permitted change for fastening 
systems which act on the foot of the rail ≤ 20 
%). 
The electrical insulation shall be not less than 5 kQ 
when measured in accordance with [14]. The user 
may specify a higher value for use with certain track 
circuits (guidance on traction currents is given in [23] 
and SRPS EN 50122-2:2011).  
Effect of exposure to severe environmental 
conditions is determined in accordance with [15] 
based on the salt spray test. After the test, the 
fastening assembly shall be capable of being 
dismantled, without failure of any component and re-
assembled using manual tools provided for this 
purpose. 
Fig.7 shows the envelope for rail fastening systems 
(which act on the foot of the rail) for concrete sleepers 
in ballasted track and rail section in accordance with 
[21] excluding 49 E4 and [22]. This envelope is 
necessary to avoid interference with vehicles 
including track maintenance vehicles. 
It should be noted, for web support fastening 
systems, the minimum flangeway shall comply with 
national regulations and the envelope of the fastening 
systems shall be provided by the supplier. 
 
Fig.7. Envelope for rail fastening systems (which act 
on the rail foot) for concrete sleepers in ballasted 
track 
The manufacturer shall provide a drawing of the 
interface between the fastening system and the 
sleeper. The variation in the static track gauge which 
RAILCON ’16                                 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR RAIL FASTENING SYSTEMS 
140 
can arise from the fastening system shall not exceed ± 
1 mm. 
Clamping force for fastening systems (acting on 
the rail foot) shall be determined by the procedure 
prescribed in [16] and the result shall be reported. The 
requirement for clamping force is not applicable to 
web support fastening systems. 
In-service testing shall be carried out in accordance 
with [17] at the request of the customer. 
Other specific requirements for fastening system 
must be defined by the customer. 
3. CONCLUSION 
In this paper, technical requirements for rail 
fastening systems on rail lines with design axle load up 
to 350 kN were considered in accordance with EN 
13481 European Standard series. It points to the 
mandatory requirements and according to the 
European standards and specific requirements 
according to the conditions of the project. 
The paper presents the performance requirements 
for fastening systems on concrete sleepers in ballasted 
track since these fastening systems are usually in use. 
European standards series EN 13481 and EN 
13146 were adopted by the Institute for 
Standardization of Serbia as the Serbian standards 
SRPS EN 13481 (Parts 1-8) and SRPS EN 13146 
(Parts 1-9). Implementation of SRPS EN standards is 
difficult because they were published only in English.  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
This work was supported by the Ministry of 
Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia 
through the research project No. 36012: “Research of 
technical-technological, staff and organizational 
capacity of Serbian Railways, from the viewpoint of 
current and future European Union requirements”.  
REFERENCES 
[1] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-1:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 1: Definitions, 2012. 
[2] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-2:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 2: Fastening systems for concrete 
sleepers, 2012. 
[3] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-3:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 3: Fastening systems for wood sleepers, 
2012. 
[4] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-4:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 4: Fastening systems for steel sleepers, 
2012. 
[5] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-5:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 5: Fastening systems for slab track with 
rail on the surface or rail embedded in a channel, 2012. 
[6] CEN/TC 256: ENV 13481-6:2002, Railway 
applications - Track - Performance requirements for 
fastening systems - Part 6: Special fastening systems 
for attenuation of vibration, 2002. 
[7] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-7:2012,   Railway 
applications - Track - Performance requirements for 
fastening systems - Part 7: Special fastening systems 
for switches and crossings and check rails, 2012. 
[8] CEN/TC 256: EN 13481-8:2006, Railway applications 
- Track - Performance requirements for fastening 
systems - Part 8: Fastening systems for track with 
heavy axle loads, 2006. 
[9] http://www.iss.rs/en/standard/?keywords=13481&Sub
mit= 
[10] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-1:2012+A1:2014, Railway 
applications - Track - Test methods for fastening 
systems - Part 1: Determination of longitudinal rail 
restraint, 2014. 
[11] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-2:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 2: 
Determination of torsional resistance, 2012. 
[12] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-3:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 3: 
Determination of attenuation of impact loads, 2012. 
[13] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-4:2012+A1:2014, Railway 
applications - Track - Test methods for fastening 
systems - Part 4: Effect of repeated loading, 2014. 
[14] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-5:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 5: 
Determination of electrical resistance, 2012. 
[15] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-6:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 6: 
Effect of severe environmental conditions, 2012. 
[16] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-7:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 7: 
Determination of clamping force, 2012. 
[17] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-8:2012, Railway applications 
- Track - Test methods for fastening systems - Part 8: 
In service testing, 2012. 
[18] CEN/TC 256: EN 13146-9:2009+A1:2011, Railway 
applications - Track - Test methods for fastening 
systems - Part 9: Determination of stiffness, 2011. 
[19] http://www.iss.rs/en/standard/?keywords=13146&Sub
mit=  
[20] Vojnotehnički institut: Izveštaj o ispitivanjima 
kolosečnog pričvrsnog pribora Vossloh W14, Beograd, 
2007. 
[21] CEN/TC 256: EN 13674-1:2011, Railway applications 
- Track - Rail - Part 1: Vignole railway rails 46 kg/m 
and above, 2011. 
[22] CEN/TC 256: EN 13674-4:2006+A1:2009, Railway 
applications - Track - Rail - Part 4: Vignole railway 
rails from 27 kg/m to, but excluding 46 kg/m, 2009. 
[23] CLC/SC 9XC: EN 50122-2:2010, Railway applications 
- Fixed installations - Electrical safety, earthing and the 
return circuit - Part 2: Provisions against the effects of 
stray currents caused by d.c. traction systems, 2010.   
 


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http://grafar.grf.bg.ac.rs/bitstream/123456789/1437/1/1435.pdf

Performance requirements for rail fastening systems on European railway network

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