Crossings

Railroad Track Load Analysis

Railroad crossings impose some of the heaviest live loads a buried pipeline sees. This calculator evaluates the pipe stresses generated by rail axle loading — typically Cooper E-80 or the railroad’s specified rating — including the impact factor and the fatigue implications of repeated load cycles.

It follows the API RP 1102 rail procedure and AREMA railway-engineering practice, the analysis railroads require for a crossing permit.

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What it evaluates

  • Live-load stress from Cooper E-80 (or specified) rail loading
  • Impact factor and cyclic load effects
  • Combined circumferential and longitudinal stress
  • Fatigue considerations at girth welds