Withdrawal strength of punched metal tooth plates in red oak end grain

Split-control end plates are toothed plates that are inserted into the ends of railroad crossties to prevent the expansion or formation of end splits. Rail vibrations combined with moisture cycling can cause the end plates to withdraw or back out from the ends of the crosstie. Two types of end plates were tested in direct, static withdrawal to determine their withdrawal strength. The Type P plate had a 20 percent greater withdrawal strength than the Type Q plate. A method of testing toothed plate products in direct withdrawal was also presented.