Experimental Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of Steel-Frame Derailment Containment Provisions Within Track Gauges

Mitigation of the extensive damage due to derailments during railway operations requires effective derailment containment provisions (DCPs). In this study, the structural performance of a steel-frame-type DCP within gauges typically applied in ballasted tracks, was evaluated through quasi-static loading tests. Studies on such DCPs have been rarely reported. The tests were conducted on single-anchor and assembled DCP systems to investigate the load-displacement relationships, initial stiffness, and maximum load capacity, and thus characterize the structural responses of both types of DCPs under derailment loads. The results indicated the occurrence of significant anchor-to-anchor interactions and load transfer. In addition, the load resistance was improved due to structural cooperation among multiple anchors. These findings demonstrate that the proposed steel-frame-type DCP provides enhanced resistance against derailment impact loads, offering an effective alternative solution for damage mitigation in railway derailment scenarios.