What is the purpose of UIC Leaflet 801-19?

UIC Leaflet 801-19 defines a selective list of special steel sections (profiles) optimized for lightweight construction in railway vehicles, ensuring they are strong yet light.

Why are special steel profiles used in trains?

Special profiles are used to reduce the tare weight of the train. By optimizing the shape of the steel beam, engineers can maintain strength while reducing the amount of material used, which increases payload capacity.

Is UIC 801-19 still relevant today?

While modern EN standards (like EN 10025 series) cover steel products, UIC 801-19 remains a valuable reference for maintaining legacy rolling stock and for specific profile geometries not found in general catalogues.

The Art of Lightness: Special Steel Sections (UIC 801-19)

UIC Leaflet 801-19 standardizes special steel sections designed for lightweight railway vehicle construction.[1] Discover how these profiles optimize structural strength and reduce train weight.

September 20, 2023 5:32 pm

What is UIC Leaflet 801-19?

UIC Leaflet 801-19, titled “Selective list of special steel sections for lightweight construction,” is a technical standard issued by the International Union of Railways (UIC). It provides a catalog of standardized dimensions and geometric properties for specialized steel profiles (such as specific angles, channels, and Z-sections) that are optimized for building railway vehicles.

In the design of Rolling Stock, every kilogram of the vehicle’s own weight (tare weight) reduces the potential cargo or passenger capacity and increases energy consumption. UIC 801-19 addresses this by defining steel sections that offer maximum Structural Integrity with minimal material usage, facilitating the concept of Lightweight Construction.

The Philosophy of Lightweight Design

Unlike general construction steel used in buildings (which is often over-dimensioned), railway profiles must withstand dynamic loads while being as light as possible.

Optimized Geometry: The profiles in this leaflet often feature thinner webs or specific corner radii that differ from standard commercial steel, placing material only where it is mechanically needed.
Energy Efficiency: Lighter trains require less energy to accelerate and cause less wear on the track infrastructure.
Payload Maximization: For freight wagons, a lighter Underframe means the operator can load more goods before reaching the maximum axle load limit.

Comparison: Commercial vs. Special Railway Profiles

Engineers must choose between readily available commercial steel and the specialized profiles defined in UIC 801-19. The table below highlights the trade-offs.

Feature	Standard Commercial Profiles (DIN/EN)	UIC 801-19 Special Profiles
Primary Use	Static structures (Buildings, Bridges)	Dynamic vehicles (Trains, Wagons)
Weight Efficiency	Moderate (Uniform thickness)	High (Variable thickness/shape)
Availability	Off-the-shelf (Low cost)	Special order (Higher manufacturing cost)
Integration	Requires extra plates for connections	Designed for seamless Welding in car bodies

Typical Applications

The sections defined in UIC 801-19 are commonly found in the skeleton of a train:

Solebars: The main longitudinal beams of the chassis.
Cant Rails: The structural members running along the top edge of the car body roof.
Door Pillars: Vertical supports that frame the door openings, requiring high stiffness to prevent jamming.

COMMENTS

[ Cancel replying ]

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

No comments yet, be the first filling the form below.