Previous research indicates that spike fastener fatigue failures have led to at least ten derailments since 2000. Given that railroads continue to install fastening systems that have experienced spike failures, methods to quantify the stress state of the spike must be developed. Common approaches to quantify the effect of key variables include laboratory experimentation, field instrumentation, or finite element model development. However, these approaches may be both time and cost prohibitive. An analytical method based on beam on elastic foundation mechanics, similar to the analysis of laterally loaded piles in deep foundation design, was developed to estimate the spike stresses. The outcome is a laboratory-validated analytical approach that generates estimates of spike stress. This analytical model was used to investigate key design criteria (timber modulus, spike cross-sectional area, and load applied) that could be changed to improve the resiliency of the fastening system to increase railroad safety. Another outcome of this study is the development of an instrumented spike that quantifies the spike demands when installed and loaded within a crosstie.

先前的研究表明，自2000年以来，钉紧固件的疲劳故障至少导致十次出轨。鉴于铁路继续安装遭受钉故障的紧固件系统，必须开发量化钉应力状态的方法。量化关键变量影响的常用方法包括实验室实验，现场仪器或有限元模型开发。但是，这些方法可能既耗时又耗费成本。提出了一种基于梁基于弹性地基力学的分析方法，类似于深层基础设计中的侧向受力桩的分析方法，以估算峰值应力。结果是一种经过实验室验证的分析方法，可生成峰值应力的估计值。该分析模型用于研究关键设计标准（木材模量，钉截面积和所施加的载荷），可以更改这些标准以提高紧固系统的弹性以提高铁路安全性。这项研究的另一个结果是开发了一种仪表化的鞋钉，该鞋钉可以量化安装和装载在领带中的鞋钉需求。