1. What is Number of Rails per km Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the number of rails needed per kilometer of railway track based on the number of sleepers, rail length, and density factor.

Purpose: It helps railway engineers and construction professionals plan rail requirements for track construction or maintenance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( N \) — Number of rails per km
• \( N_s \) — Number of sleepers per km
• \( L \) — Length of single rail (meters)
• \( x \) — Density factor (typically 4-7 for main tracks)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the relationship between sleepers and rails, considering rail length and density factor.

3. Importance of Rail Calculation

Details: Accurate rail calculation ensures proper track construction, material planning, and cost estimation for railway projects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of sleepers per km, rail length (default 13m for broad gauge), and density factor (default 6). All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a density factor in railway terms?
A: The density factor is a number added to rail length to determine sleeper spacing. In India, values of 4-7 are typically used for main tracks.

Q2: What are standard rail lengths in India?
A: Indian Railways uses 13m rails for broad gauge and 12m for meter gauge and narrow gauge tracks.

Q3: Why multiply sleepers by 2 in the formula?
A: Each rail requires sleepers at both ends, so the total number of rail-sleeper connections is double the number of sleepers.

Q4: How many sleepers are typically used per km?
A: Standard sleeper density is about 1540 sleepers per km for main lines, but this varies based on track classification.

Q5: What does the ±5% for density factor mean?
A: It indicates that the actual density factor may vary by up to 5% from the entered value due to practical considerations.

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