Load-deflection relations of T-section rails under lateral loads

This paper studies the load-deflection relations of T-section rails under lateral loads based on elastic-plastic theory. A linear-hardening model and an elastic-plastic power-exponent hardening model of the material are adopted in this study. The analytical expressions for the load-deflection relations in the loading process are given. Compared with the experimental results, it is found that the load-deflection curves calculated with the elastic-plastic power-exponent hardening model are closer to the experimental results than those with the linear-hardening model.