Analysis of end straightness of rail during manufacturing

Analysis has been carried out in order to judge the straightness of a finished rail for a specific set of parameters of the straightening machine. Finite element method has been used here for simulation and analysis. It has been noted that straightness of rail near the ends differ considerably compared to the straightness in the middle portion of the rail. The article provides guidance for the minimum length of the rail to be cut, in order to achieve the end straightness of a new rail within acceptable limits. The present study has also proposed to use a finite element model of 7.0 m rail length only for similar study, in order to save computer time and storage space largely.