ProRail introduced new standards for the assessment of vertical weld geometry based on the force between wheel and rail. Delft University of Technology developed the theoretical tools to determine the maximum wheel rail force. In fact the algorithm looks at the first derivative (inclination) of the weld geometry. The maximum allowable value at 40 km/h is 3.2 mrad, and at 300 km/h 1.0 mrad.The RAILPROF measures the weld geometry, whereas the process is controlled by a PDA which also performs the calculations in real time.

For further details please refer to the following articles:

• Rail Welds
• The Significance of Track Resilience (ERR First Digital Issue October 2009)
• Some Aspects of Track Design (ERR Industry Focus 2009)
• IRS Turkey Role of Innovative Technologies
• Weld Registration and Acceptance (European Railway Review)
• Presentatie voor ProRail en spooraannemers (Dutch)
• Weld Geometry Standards (modified April 2010)
• Presentation Weld Geometry EN
• Presentatie lasgeometrie NL
• Developments in Railway Tracks (Industry Focus 2008, European Railway Review)
• Rail weld geometry and assessment concepts (Proc. IMechE Vol. 220 Part F: J. Rail and Rapid Transit)
• Track Quality achieved on HSL-Zuid (European Railway Review)
• JRRT87 # IMechE 2006 Proc. IMechE Vol. 220 Part F: J. Rail and Rapid Transit
• Workshop on High-Speed Track Porto, 12-13 October 2006
• Best Paper Award WCRR
• Presentation Weld Geometry Standards Long
• Paper WCRR2006, Montreal, June 2006
• Short article on background
• Article Heavy Haul Conference June 2005
• Presentation at Heavy Haul
• New Dutch assessment of rail welding geometry (European Railway Review)
• Paper_VSD
• Extract of Rail-Tech News Letter