Equilibrium Cant for BG Calculator

Equilibrium Cant Formula for Broad Gauge:

\[ e_{bg} = \frac{1.676 \times V^2}{127 \times R} \]

Equilibrium Cant (e_bg): m

With Tolerance Range (±5%): m

1. What is Equilibrium Cant for Broad Gauge?

Definition: Equilibrium cant for broad gauge is the difference between the height of the outer rail and the inner rail on a curve in case of broad gauge track.

Purpose: It helps maintain balance and safety when trains travel around curves at high speeds.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ e_{bg} = \frac{1.676 \times V^2}{127 \times R} \]

Where:

\( e_{bg} \) — Equilibrium cant for broad gauge (meters)
\( V \) — Speed of vehicle on track (km/h)
\( R \) — Radius of curve (meters)
1.676 — Broad gauge constant
127 — Conversion factor

Explanation: The formula calculates the ideal cant needed to counteract centrifugal force at a given speed and curve radius.

3. Importance of Equilibrium Cant Calculation

Details: Proper cant calculation ensures passenger comfort, reduces wear on tracks and wheels, and prevents derailments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vehicle speed in km/h, curve radius in meters, and tolerance percentage (default 5%). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 1.676 used in the formula?
A: 1.676 is the standard gauge width in meters for broad gauge tracks (5.5 ft).

Q2: What's a typical tolerance percentage?
A: Typically ±5% is used to account for variations in speed and track conditions.

Q3: How does speed affect equilibrium cant?
A: Cant increases with the square of speed - doubling speed requires 4x the cant.

Q4: What happens if the cant is too high or too low?
A: Too high can cause discomfort and wheel lift on the inner rail; too low can cause excessive lateral forces.

Q5: Is this formula specific to broad gauge?
A: Yes, the 1.676 constant is for broad gauge. Other gauges use different constants.