Damage Evolution of Ballastless Track Concrete Exposed to Flexural Fatigue Loads:The Application of Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity,Impact-echo and Surface Electrical Resistance Method

In order to clarify the fatigue damage evolution of concrete exposed to flexural fatigue loads,ultrasonic pulse velocity(UPV),impact-echo technology and surface electrical resistance(SR) method were used.Damage variable based on the change of velocity of ultrasonic pulse(Du) and impact elastic wave(Di)were defined according to the classical damage theory.The influences of stress level,loading frequency and concrete strength on damage variable were measured.The experimental results show that Du and Di both present a three-stages trend for concrete exposed to fatigue loads.Since impact elastic wave is more sensitive to the microstructure damage in stage Ⅲ,the critical damage variable,i e,the damage variable before the final fracture of concrete of Di is slightly higher than that of Du.Meanwhile,the evolution of SR of concrete exposed to fatigue loads were analyzed and the relationship between SR and Du,SR and Di of concrete exposed to fatigue loads were established.It is found that the SR of concrete was decreased with the increasing fatigue cycles,indicating that surface electrical resistance method can also be applied to describe the damage of ballastless track concrete exposed to fatigue loads.

Study on the dynamic contact relationship between layers under temperature gradients in CRTSⅢ ballastless track

In areas with large temperature differences,the uneven distribution of temperatures in the CRTS III ballastless track slab due to daytime sunlight can cause warpage deformation,leading to periodic rail irregularities that increase the wheel-rail impact of high-speed vehicles and accelerate track structure damage.Therefore,it is necessary to study the dynamic contact relationship between the composite slab and the base plate during vehicle running.The results of the study show that:1)Under the influence of temperature gradients,the composite slab tends to deform elliptically.With a positive temperature gradient,the middle part of the track slab bulges upward,causing the slab to be supported by its four corners.Conversely,with a negative temperature gradient,the four corners of the track slab bulge upward,resulting in the slab being supported by its center.2)Temperature gradients can lead to separation between the composite slab and the base plate,reducing the contact area between layers.During vehicle running,the contact area between layers gradually increases,but the separation cannot be completely closed.3)The temperature gradient significantly affects the vertical displacement of the track.The vertical displacement in the middle of the slab increases with a positive temperature gradient.In contrast,the vertical displacement at the ends of the slab increases with a negative temperature gradient.4)The stress of self-compacting concrete at the side position significantly increases under a positive temperature gradient,with the vertical stress increasing by 2.7 times when the temperature gradient increases from 0 to 90℃·m^(-1).

Influence of train speed and its mitigation measures in the short-and long-term performance of a ballastless transition zone

The ballastless track is nowadays the most popular railway system due to the required low number of maintenance opera-tions and costs,despite the high investment.The gradual change from ballasted to ballastless tracks has been occurring in Asia,but also in Europe,increasing the number of transition zones.The transition zones are a special area of the railway networks where there is an accelerated process of track degradation,which is a major concern of the railway infrastructure managers.Thus,the accurate prediction of the short-and long-term performance of ballastless tracks in transition zones is an important topic in the current paradigm of building/rehabilitating high-speed lines.This work purposes the development of an advanced 3D model to study the global performance of a ballastless track in an embankment-tunnel transition zone considering the influence of the train speed(220,360,500,and 600 km/h).Moreover,a mitigation measure is also adopted to reduce the stress and displacements levels of the track in the transition.A resilient mat placed in the tunnel and embank-ment aims to soften the transition.The behaviour of the track with the resilient mat is evaluated considering the influence of the train speed,with special attention regarding the critical speed.The used methodology is a novel and hybrid approach that allows including short-term and long-term performance,through the development of a powerful 3D model combined with the implementation of a calibrated empirical permanent deformation model.

Research on the design of ballastless track in the subgrade section of highspeed railway in high earthquake-intensity area

According to the characteristics of complex terrain and bad geological conditions in the southwest mountainous area of China, it is proposed that cast-in situ double-block ballastless track with layers and blocks structure should be adopted preferentially in the subgrade section of high-speed railway, which is conducive to the construction, prolongation of service life and maintenance of the ballastless track. Based on the finite element model, the dynamic performance, structural strength and stability of double-block ballastless track under high earthquake-intensity action are analyzed. The analysis shows that the relative displacement between the base slab of ballastless track and the subgrade may occur under 9 degree earthquake action. A new CRTS double-block ballastless track structure with a concave-convex structure between the base slab and the subgrade is proposed in the subgrade section, and its additional stress and relative displacement under earthquake are analyzed. The results show that the additional stress and relative displacement of the new ballastless track structure and the subgrade under 9-degree earthquake actions are small, which meet the high stability requirements of high-speed railway.

Advances in design theories of high-speed railway ballastless tracks

The design theories of the ballastless track in the world are reviewed in comparison with the innovative research achievements of high-speed railway ballastless track in China.The calculation methods and parameters concerning train load,thermal effect,and foundation deformation of high-speed railway ballastless track,together with the structural design methods are summarized.Finally,some suggestions on the future work are provided.

Influence of interface crack on dynamic characteristics of CRTSⅢslab ballastless track on bridge

The damage of the self-compacting concrete in CRTSⅢslab ballastless track on bridge will lead to a partial void of the track slab,which will affect the comfort and safety of the train and the durability of the track slab and bridge structure.In order to study the impact of the interface crack on the dynamic response of CRTSⅢballastless track system on bridge,based on the principle of multi-body dynamics theory and ANSYS+SIMPACK co-simulation,the spatial model of vehicle-track-bridge integration considering the longitudinal stiffness of supports,the track structure and interlayer contact characteristics were established.The dynamic characteristics of the system under different conditions of the width,length and position of the interface crack were analysed,and the limited values of the length and width of the cracks at the track slab edge were proposed.The results show that when the self-compacting concrete does not completely void along the transverse direction of the track slab,the crack has little effect on the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle-track-bridge system.However,when the self-compacting concrete is completely hollowed out along the transverse direction of the track slab,the dynamic amplitudes of the system increase.When the crack length is 1.6 m,the wheel load reduction rate reaches 0.769,which exceeds the limit value and threatens the safety of train operation.The vertical acceleration of the track slab increases by 250.1%,which affects the service life of the track system under the train speed of 200 km/h.

Design method of pile-slab structure roadbed of ballastless track on soil subgrade

Pile-slab structure roadbed is a new form of ballastless track for high speed railway. Due to lack of corresponding design code, based on the analysis of its structure characteristics and application requirements, it is proposed to carry out load effect combination according to ultimate limit state and serviceability limit state, and the most unfavorable combination of each state is chosen to carry through design calculation for pile-slab structure. Space model of pile-slab structure can be simplified as a plane flame model, by using the orthogonal test method, and the design parameter of pile-slab structure is optimized. Moreover, based on the engineering background of Suining-Chongqing high-speed railway, the dynamic deformation characteristics of pile-slab structure roadbed are further researched by carrying on the indoor dynamic model test. The test results show that the settlement after construction of subgrade satisfies the requirement of settlement control to build ballastless track on soil subgrade for high-speed railway. Slab structure plays the role of arch shell as load is transmitted from slab to pile, and the vertical dynamic stress of subgrade soil is approximately of ＂K＂ form distribution with the depth. The distribution of pile stress is closely related to soil characteristics, which has an upset triangle shape where the large dynamic stress is at the top. Pile compared with soil shares most dynamic stress. Pile structure expands the depth of the dynamic response of subgrade has limited effect on dynamic response. These results can provide subgrade. and improves the stress of subgrade soil, and the speed of train scientific basis for pile-slab structure roadbed used on soil

Mechanical characteristic variation of ballastless track in highspeed railway:effect of train–track interaction and environment loads

Due to the fact that ballastless tracks in highspeed railways are not only subjected to repeated train–track dynamic interaction loads,but also suffer from complex environmental loads,the fundamental understanding of mechanical performance of ballastless tracks under sophisticated service conditions is an increasingly demanding and challenging issue in high-speed railway networks.This work aims to reveal the effect of train–track interaction and environment loads on the mechanical characteristic variation of ballastless tracks in high-speed railways,particularly focusing on the typical interface damage evolution between track layers.To this end,a finite element model of a double-block ballastless track involving the cohesive zone model for the track interface is first established to analyze the mechanical properties of the track interface under the loading–unloading processes of the negative temperature gradient load(TGL)followed by the same cycle of the positive TGL.Subsequently,the effect of wheel–rail longitudinal interactions on the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the track interface is investigated by using a vehicle-slab track vertical-longitudinal coupled dynamics model.Finally,the influence of dynamic water pressure induced by vehicle dynamic load on the mechanical characteristics and damage evolution of the track interface is elucidated using a fluid–solid coupling method.Results show that the loading history of the positive and negative TGLs has a great impact on the nonlinear development and distribution of the track interface stress and damage;the interface damage could be induced by the wheel–rail longitudinal vibrations at a high vehicle running speed owing to the dynamic amplification effect caused by short wave irregularities;the vehicle dynamic load could produce considerable water pressure that presents nonlinear spatial–temporal characteristics at the track interface,which would lead to the interface failure under a certain condition due to the coupled dynamic effect of vehicle load and water pressure.

Experimental study on dynamic load magnification factor for ballastless track-subgrade of high-speed railway

The magnitude of dynamic load produced by high-speed trains depends on many factors,of which train speed is the most critical one.However,it is quite difficult to determine the effect of train speed on dynamic load using the theoretical methods due to the complexity of the interaction between vehicle and track-subgrade.Thus large-scale model test has gradually become an important approach for studying dynamic responses of ballastless track-subgrade of high-speed railway.In this study,a full-scale model of ballastless track-subgrade was constructed in accordance with the design and construction standards for Shanghai-Nanjing intercity high-speed railway line firstly.Then,the dynamic strain of slab and the dynamic earth pressure of subgrade were measured by conducting single wheel axle excitation test.In addition,the relationship between the dynamic load magnification factor（DLF） and the train speed was obtained.Finally,the DLF of track-subgrade under different train speeds was proposed,similar to that given by German Railway Standard.

Polyurethane grouting materials with different compositions for the treatment of mud pumping in ballastless track subgrade beds:properties and application effect

Mud pumping in subgrade beds under ballastless tracks will deteriorate the dynamic performance of infrastructure under railway lines,reduce the smoothness of the railway lines,and seriously affect the comfort and safety of the trains.Due to their good mechanical properties,twocomponent polyurethane materials can be used for grouting to treat the fouling problems caused by ballastless track mud pumping.To develop a polyurethane formula suitable for the treatment of ballastless track mud pumping,we first performed indoor experiments to investigate the mechanical properties and gelation time of polyurethane elastomers synthesized with different raw material composition ratios,to determine an optimal composition ratio of the raw materials.Then,we conducted a dynamic field test to verify the remediation effect of the polyurethane material fabricated according to the design ratio.The results showed that polyurethane grouting material with the selected design ratios improved the contact characteristics between the surface layer of the subgrade bed and the base plate in the area,coordinating the dynamic response between the track structure and the subgrade bed.Thus,the obtained polyurethane grouting material could be used to renovate mud pumping areas of ballastless tracks with a good treatment effect.

Dynamics Performance of Subgrade-Tunnel Transition on Chongqing-Suining Ballastless Track

Experiments were conducted on China railway high speed electrical multiple units （EMUs） CRH2 and freight car C80 on Chongqing-Suining high-speed ballastless track. Based on the experimental results, the dynamics performance of cement concrete transition and cement stabilized aggregate transition was analyzed. The results show that the dynamic stress, vibration displacement, vibration velocity, vibration acceleration and other vibration parameters vary steadily on the profile section of transitions, and that at the adjoining position between subgrade and tunnel portal, cement concrete transition has gradual hardness change, whereas cement stabilized aggregate transition exhibits good elasticity, small shock, and small dynamic effect of the cars.

Elastic Modulus Limit of Support Layer in Twin-Block Ballastless Track Based on Train Load Effect

The support layer is an important component of twin-block ballastless track. The modulus of the support layer is an important design parameter and must be carefully solved. We studied the bending stress and deformation of track slab and support layer due to train load using the beam-plate finite element model on elastic foundation. The results show that support layer type has great impact on both support layer deformation and the stress on subgrade, but has little impact on the bending stress of either track slab or support layer. The continuous support layer type, and articulated support layer type with shear transfer device at their ends, are recommended. In order to keep the stress in the support layer less than that in track slab, the modulus of the continuous, unit, and articulated types of support layer （ in unit twin-block ballastless track）, and the support layer in continuous twin-block ballastless track, should not be larger than 15, 22, 20.5 and 5 GPa, respectively. In addition, the modulus of the unit-type support layer should not be more than 20 GPa, to ensure the step in support layer remains less than 1 mm.

Occasional Forces and Displacements of Longitudinally Coupled Ballastless Jointless Turnout on Bridges

For the longitudinally coupled baUastless turnout on Leida bridge on Wuhan-Guangzhou passenger dedicated line （PDL） in China, a turnout （cross over）-track slab-bridge deck-pier integrated finite element model was established, in which two No. 18 jointless turnouts with movable frogs in form of crossover, longitudinally coupled ballastless track, bridges and piers were regarded as one system. Based on this model, the additional forces and displacement regularities of turnouts, track slab, bridges and piers under occasional loading were analyzed, and the effect of occasional loading position was researched. The results show that slab breaking is more influential on the longitudinal force and deformation of the whole system than rail breaking, that slab breaking on one line could deteriorate both the slab force on another line and the forces exerted on the piers and fastener components, and that a great slab force at the left end of the continuous bridge expansion joint should be particularly avoided in design.

Horizontal Push Plate Test and Simulation of CRTS II Slab Ballastless Track

Good interlayer interface performance is the key to maintaining the stability of CRTSⅡslab ballastless track structure.In a project,the tangential cohesion parameters of CRTSⅡslab ballastless track structure are generally measured by horizontal push plate test,so as to measure the interlayer interface performance.Horizontal push plate contraction scale and full scale tests of CRTSⅡslab ballastless track structure are carried out to obtain the tangential force-displacement relation curve of the interlayer interface,thus obtaining the parameters of cohesion model.A threedimensional progressive damage analysis model for CRTSⅡslab ballastless track structure is established,the whole process inversion of the horizontal push plate test is carried out,and the reliability of the contraction scale test results is verified by means of simulation and comparative analysis of test results.The results show that the greater the tangential stiffness of the interlayer interface of the track structure,the weaker the interlayer deformation coordination capability;the more significant the non-uniformity of the interface damage,the more likely the stress concentration;the greater the fracture toughness,the less likely the disjoint in the interlayer interface of the track structure.

公铁两用大跨度斜拉桥-无砟轨道体系变形适应性研究

高速铁路大跨度斜拉桥结构变形受其复杂服役环境影响显著,而无砟轨道对工后变形的调整能力有限,因此大跨度斜拉桥的复杂变形条件将直接影响其上无砟轨道结构的适应性。以沪渝蓉高铁长江北支公铁两用大跨度斜拉桥应用无砟轨道为工程背景,建立无砟轨道-大跨度斜拉桥一体化精细空间有限元模型,分析铁路、公路以及温度等多种荷载联合作用下大跨度斜拉桥-无砟轨道体系平顺性、无缝线路稳定性和无砟轨道层间变形协调性,从而对大跨度公铁两用钢桁梁斜拉桥-无砟轨道体系变形适应性开展深入研究。结果表明:在运营荷载及温度荷载最不利组合作用下,大跨度斜拉桥主梁线形平顺,变形平缓,桥梁整体刚度较好,桥上无砟轨道几何形位可以满足静态验收标准;大跨度斜拉桥上无缝线路的强度和稳定性满足要求,扣件工作性能良好,钢轨伸缩调节器的设置可有效释放梁端钢轨的纵向应力;无砟轨道层间设置橡胶隔离层且不跨主梁桁架节间的布置方式可提高大跨度斜拉桥上无砟轨道的变形协调性能,使得桥上无砟轨道层间始终处于受压状态,达到“隔而不离”的桥上轨道层间理想服役状态;大跨度公铁两用钢桁梁斜拉桥-无砟轨道体系变形适应性良好。本文研究成果可为公铁两用大跨度钢桁梁斜拉桥上无砟轨道的应用提供技术参考。

基于实测数据的高海拔大日温差地区拱上组合梁桥-无砟轨道体系温度场研究

温度作用是影响桥梁-轨道结构服役性能的重要因素之一。为探究高海拔大日温差地区拱上组合梁桥-无砟轨道体系的温度场变化规律,基于某拟建铁路上承式大跨拱桥桥址处的环境温度持续监测数据与卫星反演得到的太阳辐射数据,建立了考虑太阳辐射阴影遮挡效应的拱上组合梁桥-无砟轨道体系温度场模型,重点分析日温度变化规律和竖向温差分布规律,获得了考虑实测气温和太阳辐射逐时变化的全年日温度场;采用广义帕累托分布对竖向温差样本进行了极值分布估计,确定不同超越概率的竖向温差代表值,提出多折线形式的竖向温度梯度模式。研究结果表明,梯度相较于平原地区更为显著,无砟轨道的遮挡效应使得温度梯度分布上移,钢梁外侧腹板在冬季产生局部梯度作用;基于实测数据的温差极值估计方法考虑了环境温度和太阳辐射对结构温度场的随机影响,可为特殊地区桥梁设计阶段温度作用的计算提供参考。

高速铁路无砟轨道车辆荷载传递特性研究

为进一步探讨无砟轨道荷载设计参数取值,为我国时速400 km及以上高速铁路建设提供重要理论支撑,通过开展无砟轨道静力分析以及钢轨焊缝、车轮扁疤激励下车辆-轨道动力相互作用,揭示列车静、动力载荷特征及传递规律;同时根据轨道承载特点和无砟轨道设计原理,提出车辆竖向设计荷载取值建议。研究结果表明:(1)高速列车车轮扁疤和钢轨焊缝不平顺将造成显著的轮轨冲击,其轮载动载系数最大可达5.79,远高于现行规范取值;扣件系统对扁疤和焊缝不平顺引起的轮轨力高频成分衰减作用明显,扣件支反力的动载系数最大为2.64;(2)钢轨焊缝不平顺引起的轮轨冲击力随着车速提高以及焊缝不平顺幅值的增大而迅速增大,建议500 km/h及以下高速铁路的钢轨焊缝平直度标准取0.2 mm/m;(3)列车轮载通过扣件支反力作用于轨道板,从传递特性的角度来说,以扣件支反力作为轨道板竖向设计荷载更为合理,其动载系数可取3.0,且能满足400 km/h及以上高速铁路的行车需求。

基于1D-CNN的无砟轨道CA砂浆脱空识别

为解决水泥乳化沥青砂浆(CA砂浆)脱空位置识别的难题,提出考虑CA砂浆脱空的无砟轨道模型建模与计算方案。首先,基于CRTS I型板式无砟轨道“梁-板-板”建模理论,使用非线性弹簧模拟CA砂浆脱空病害,输入扣件支点反力作为模型的激励,得到监测点位的垂向加速度数据集。其次,通过对数据集缩放、添加噪声的方式进行数据增强,增强数据集的差异,以增强识别模型的泛化性,获得更加准确的识别结果。最后,建立脱空病害的识别方法,搭建一维卷积神经网络(1D-CNN)进行CA砂浆的脱空位置识别,构建准确率、查准率和查全率等评价指标评估识别结果,使用t-SNE降维算法对结果进行可视化。对比其他3种神经网络的表现,探讨1D-CNN应用于CA砂浆脱空位置识别的优势。研究结果表明:“梁-板-板”模型反映了无砟轨道的力学本征,用于CA砂浆脱空问题的仿真模拟是可行的;通过对数据集信号缩放、添加噪声的方式进行数据增强可提高深度学习模型的性能;从深度学习的角度来看,CA砂浆脱空发生在板中造成的危害较小,应重点关注板端CA砂浆脱空的养护与维修问题;1D-CNN相比其他3种模型运算时间短,在CA砂浆脱空位置识别数据集上优势更大,识别准确率可达95%以上。研究结果为进一步提高无砟轨道结构监测的自动化和智能化水平提供参考。

高速铁路主跨320 m钢-混部分斜拉桥无砟轨道适应性研究

南玉高铁六景郁江特大桥设计将钢-混部分斜拉桥结构引入时速350 km高速铁路领域,而300 m级以上大跨度桥上无砟轨道的竖向变形极易超限,影响列车通过的安全性和舒适性,因此,系统研究在此大跨桥梁结构上铺设无砟轨道的适应性十分必要。通过建立有限元及动力学模型,分析不同组合工况下无砟轨道结构的变形特点及动力特性,运用60 m弦测法探究各工况下无砟轨道的线形变化规律,从而确定大跨度钢-混部分斜拉桥铺设无砟轨道的适应性,并对设计和施工提出合理化建议。主要结论如下:在各种不利组合荷载作用下,桥上无砟轨道结构强度满足规范要求,列车通过大桥的各项安全性与舒适性指标均满足规范要求;混凝土收缩徐变和斜拉索升降温是影响无砟轨道线形标准的两大主因,应在无砟轨道施工前确保足够的沉降观测期和收缩徐变释放期,并充分考虑拉索的保温设计;在温度组合荷载作用下,桥上无砟轨道的60 m弦测不平顺幅值为6.79 mm,满足高速铁路静态验收标准;但在叠加列车荷载和收缩徐变后,变形弦测值均出现Ⅱ级及以上超限,通过合理设置预拱度后可有效改善轨道平顺性标准。

钢管混凝土双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构疲劳性能试验研究

新型钢管混凝土(CFT)双块式轨枕克服了桁架钢筋双块式轨枕存在的生产制造复杂、存放易锈蚀、运营阶段易开裂等问题,可广泛应用于高速铁路和城市轨道交通无砟轨道结构。为检验CFT双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构的疲劳性能,采用11根预制CFT双块式轨枕现浇制作足尺无砟轨道结构节段模型,开展橡胶隔振垫式减振轨道和现浇整体式轨道节段的疲劳试验,揭示其疲劳损伤特性,分析典型疲劳加载循环次数后静载作用下轨道结构应变和变形分布及其演化规律。研究结果表明:1.5倍静轴重的疲劳荷载累计作用500万次后,减振节段及整浇节段CFT双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构混凝土均未出现肉眼可见的裂缝,轨枕与现浇道床整体工作性能良好,疲劳性能满足规范要求;停机开展静载试验过程中轨道结构各测点混凝土横向应变值随荷载增大而近似线性增大,最大拉压应变值均远小于混凝土的极限应变值,工作状态良好;轨道整浇节段道床板中处于整体受拉的状态,可见设置层间连接钢筋实现了道床与底座的共同工作;疲劳试验过程中轨道结构测点竖向位移值总体随着静载的增大而逐渐增大,位移量级较小,满足规范要求,减振轨道节段竖向位移值及其变化率大于整浇轨道节段。研究结果可供类似研究及钢管混凝土双块式轨枕无砟轨道结构工程应用参考。