Experimental and numerical settlement analysis of railway track over geogrid reinforced ballast

Purpose-The main objective of the present research is to investigate the benefits of using geogrid reinforcement in minimizing the rate of deterioration of ballasted rail track geometry resting on soft clay and to explore the effect of load amplitude,load frequency,presence of geogrid layer in ballast layer and ballast layer thickness on the behavior of track system.These variables are studied both experimentally and numerically.This paper examines the effect of geogrid reinforced ballast laying on a layer of clayey soil as a subgrade layer,where a half full scale railway tests are conducted as well as a theoretical analysis is performed.Design/methodologylapproach-The experimental tests work consists of laboratory model tests to investigate the reduction in the compressibility and stress distribution induced in soft clay under a ballast railway reinforced by geogrid reinforcement subjected to dynamic load.Experimental model based on an approximate half scale for general rail track engineering practice is adopted in this study which is used in Iraqi railways.The investigated parameters are load amplitude,load frequency and presence of geogrid reinforcement layer.A half fuli-scale railway was constructed for carrying out the tests,which consists of two rails 800 mm in iength with three w00den sleepers(900 mm×90 mm×90 mm).The ballast was overlying 500 mm thick clay layer.The tests were carried out with and without geogrid reinforcement,the tests were carried out in a well tied steel box of 1.5 m length X 1 m width X 1 m height.A series of laboratory tests were conducted to investigate the response of the ballast and the clay layers where the ballast was reinforced by a geogrid.Settlement in ballast and clay,was measured in reinforced and unreinforced ballast cases.In addition to the laboratory tests,the application of numerical analysis was made by using the finite element program PLAXIS 3D 2013.Findings-It was concluded that the settlement increased with increasing the simulated train load amplitude,there is a sharp increase in settlement up to the cycle 500 and after that,there is a gradual increase to level out between,2,500 and 4,500 cycles depending on the load frequency.There is a little increase in the induced settlement when the load amplitude increased from 0.5 to i ton,but it is higher when the load amplitude increased to 2 ton,the increase in settlement depends on the geogrid existence and the other studied parameters.Both experimental and numerical results showed the same behavior.The effect of load frequency on the settlement ratio is almost constant after 500 cycles.In general,for reinforced cases,the effect of load frequency on the settlement ratio is very small ranging between 0.5 and 2%compared with the unreinforcedcase.Originalitylvalue-Increasing the ballast layer thickness from 20 cm to 30 cm leads to decrease the settlement by about 50%.This ascertains the efficiency of ballast in spreading the waves induced by the track.

Mechanical properties of foamed polyurethane solidified ballasted track

Foamed Polyurethane Solidified Ballasted Track(FPSBT),an innovative railway track,is formed by solidifying ballast bed with foamed polyurethane.Compared with the traditional Discrete Ballasted Track(DBT),FPSBT does not require regular maintenance such as tamping and cleaning.However,limited studies exist on the mechanical properties of FPSBT.In this study,Laboratory experiments are conducted on polyurethane samples to investigate the effects of polyurethane density on the mechanical properties of FPSBT.Furthermore,the performance of DBT and FPSBT with different polyurethane densities are compared,and the recommended polyurethane density is obtained.FPSBT exhibited negligible accumulation of deformation under cyclic loads,indicating excellent performance of FPSBT owing to the anti-deformation properties of polyurethane.Further,a track load vehicle test is conducted.FPSBT exhibited better load-transmitting ability than DBT.Finally,the construction and application of FPSBT in China are introduced.This study is expected to contribute to realizing a more extensive application of FPSBT.

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.

Numerical analysis of high‑speed railway slab tracks using calibrated and validated 3D time‑domain modelling

Concrete slabs are widely used in modern railways to increase the inherent resilient quality of the tracks,provide safe and smooth rides,and reduce the maintenance frequency.In this paper,the elastic performance of a novel slab trackform for high-speed railways is investigated using three-dimensional finite element modelling in Abaqus.It is then compared to the performance of a ballasted track.First,slab and ballasted track models are developed to replicate the full-scale testing of track sections.Once the models are calibrated with the experimental results,the novel slab model is developed and compared against the calibrated slab track results.The slab and ballasted track models are then extended to create linear dynamic models,considering the track geodynamics,and simulating train passages at various speeds,for which the Ledsgard documented case was used to validate the models.Trains travelling at low and high speeds are analysed to investigate the track deflections and the wave propagation in the soil,considering the issues associated with critical speeds.Various train loading methods are discussed,and the most practical approach is retained and described.Moreover,correlations are made between the geotechnical parameters of modern high-speed rail and conventional standards.It is found that considering the same ground condition,the slab track deflections are considerably smaller than those of the ballasted track at high speeds,while they show similar behaviour at low speeds.

Mechanism of cross-level settlements and void accumulation of wide and conventional sleepers in railway ballast

The cross-level and twist irregularities are the most dangerous irregularity types that could cause wheel unloading with the risk of derailments and additional maintenance expenses.However,the mechanism of the irregularities initiation and development is unclear.The motivation of the present study was the previous experimental studies on the application of wide sleepers in the ballasted track.The long-term track geometry measurements with wide sleepers show an enormous reduction of the vertical longitudinal irregularities compared to the conventional track.However,wide sleepers had higher twist and cross-section level irregularities.The present paper aims to explain the phenomenon by discrete element method(DEM)modeling the development process of sleeper inhomogeneous support at cross-level depending on the sleeper form.The DEM simulations show that the maximal settlement intensity is up to 3.5 times lower for a wide sleeper in comparison with the conventional one.Nevertheless,the cross-level differential settlements are almost the same for both sleepers.The particle loading distribution after all loading cycles is concentrated on the smaller area,up to the half sleeper length,with fully unloaded zones under sleeper ends.Ballast flow limitation under the central part of the sleeper could improve the resilience of wide sleepers to the development of cross-level irregularities.The mechanism of initiation of the cross-level irregularity is proposed,which assumes the loss of sleeper support under sleeper ends.The further growth of inhomogeneous settlements along the sleeper is assumed as a result of the interaction of two processes:ballast flow due to dynamic impact during void closing and on the other side high pressure due to the concentration of the pressure under the middle part of the sleeper.The DEM simulation results support the assumption of the mechanism and agree with the experimental studies.

Influence of the Randomness of Longitudinal Resistance of Ballast Bed on Track-Bridge Interaction

To get the influence of the randomness of longitudinal resistance of ballast bed (LRBB) on track-bridge interaction, the statistical law of LRBB was studied with existing test data and the Shapiro-Wilk test. Based on the principle of track-bridge interaction, a rail-sleeper-bridge-pier integrated simulation model that could consider the randomness of LRBB was established. Taking a continuous beam bridge for the heavy-haul railway as an example, the effect of the randomness of LRBB on the mechanical behavior of continuous welded rail (CWR) on bridges under typical conditions was carefully examined with a random sampling method and the simulation model. The results show that the LRBB corresponding sleeper displacement of 2 mm obeys a normal distribution. When the randomness of LRBB is considered, the amplitudes of rail expansion force, rail bending force, rail braking force and rail broken gap all follow normal distribution. As the standard deviations of the four indexes are small, which indicates the randomness of LRBB has little effect on track-bridge interaction. The distributions of the four indexes make it possible to design CWR on bridges with the limit state method.

Beam-track interaction of high-speed railway bridge with ballast track

Based on the construction bridge of Xiamen-Shenzhen high-speed railway(9-32 m simply-supported beam + 6×32 m continuous beam),the pier-beam-track finite element model,where the continuous beam of the ballast track and simply-supported beam are combined with each other,was established.The laws of the track stress,the pier longitudinal stress and the beam-track relative displacement were analyzed.The results show that reducing the longitudinal resistance can effectively reduce the track stress and the pier stress of the continuous beam,and increase the beam-track relative displacement.Increasing the rigid pier stiffness of continuous beam can reduce the track braking stress,increase the pier longitudinal stress and reduce the beam-track relative displacement,Increasing the rigid pier stiffness of simply-supported beam can reduce the track braking stress,the rigid pier longitudinal stress and the beam-track relative displacement.

The mechanism and effects of subgrade fluidisation under ballasted railway tracks

The rapid growth in railway infrastructure and the construction of high-speed heavy-haul rail network,especially on ground that is basically unsuitable,poses challenges for geotechnical engineers because a large part of the money invested in the development of railway lines is often spent on track maintenance.In fact around the world,the mud pumping of subgrade fines is one of the common reasons why track performance deteriorates and track stability is hindered.This article presents a series of laboratory tests to examine following aspects of mud pumping:(1)the mechanisms of subgrade fluidisation under undrained condition,(2)the effects of mud pumping on the engineering characteristics of ballast,and(3)the use of vertical drains to stabilize subgrade under cyclic loads.The undrained cyclic triaxial testing on vulnerable soft subgrade was performed by varying the cyclic stress ratio(CSR)from 0.2 to 1.0 and the loading frequency f from 1.0 to 5.0 Hz.It is seen from the test results that for a specimen compacted at an initial dry density of 1790 kg/m3,the top portion of the specimen fluidises at CSR=0.5,irrespective of the applied loading frequency.Under cyclic railway loading,the internal redistribution of water at the top of the subgrade layer softens the soil and also reduces its stiffness.In response to these problems,this paper explains how the inclusion of vertical drains in soft subgrade will help to prevent mud pumping by alleviating the build-up of excess pore pressures under moving train loads.

Frost heaving in ballast railway tracks

Frost heaving is a well-known phenomenon in cold regions, which may occur in wet clayey grounds during winter. Railway track upheaval occurring in cold regions during the winter is generally understood as frost heaving in the subgrade layer. However, it has been confirmed that upheaval due to frost heaving sometimes occurs in the ballast layer. This un- derstanding has been observed in active railways in northern Japan. The samples collected from ballast and subgrade layers have been examined for frost heave susceptibilities and confirmed that ballast layers which contain fines may heave.

Dynamic Response of Elastic Sleeper Ballasted Track on Bridge

A vehicle-track-bridge coupling dynamics model was built based on the theory of vehicle-track coupling dynamics. Using this model, a comparison was made between the dynamic response of an elastic sleeper ballasted track and a common sleeper ballasted track on bridge under the same working conditions. The results show that laying elastic sleepers on the bridge could solve the problem of large track stiffness caused by a thin ballast thickness, and improve the dynamic response of the bridge. This is beneficial to train operation safety and riding comfort.

GPU-Based Simulation of Dynamic Characteristics of Ballasted Railway Track with Coupled Discrete-Finite Element Method

Considering the interaction between a sleeper,ballast layer,and substructure,a three-dimensional coupled discrete-finite element method for a ballasted railway track is proposed in this study.Ballast granules with irregular shapes are constructed using a clump model using the discrete element method.Meanwhile,concrete sleepers,embankments,and foundations are modelled using 20-node hexahedron solid elements using the finite element method.To improve computational efficiency,a GPU-based(Graphics Processing Unit)parallel framework is applied in the discrete element simulation.Additionally,an algorithm containing contact search and transfer parameters at the contact interface of discrete particles and finite elements is developed in the GPU parallel environment accordingly.A benchmark case is selected to verify the accuracy of the coupling algorithm.The dynamic response of the ballasted rail track is analysed under different train speeds and loads.Meanwhile,the dynamic stress on the substructure surface obtained by the established DEM-FEM model is compared with the in situ experimental results.Finally,stress and displacement contours in the cross-section of the model are constructed to further visualise the response of the ballasted railway.This proposed coupling model can provide important insights into high-performance coupling algorithms and the dynamic characteristics of full scale ballasted rail tracks.

Stress on Ballast-Bed and Deterioration of Geometry in a Railway Track

In Greece extended cracking of twin-block concrete sleepers （ties） and fouling of the ballast-bed were observed with implied problems of gauge widening and deterioration of track＇s geometry. This led to a ten-year investigation program, during which a new method was developed for the estimation of actions on track panel as well as of the pressures / stresses that develop under the seating surface of the sleeper on the ballast-bed. Results from the tests performed on the ballast used in the Greek network are also presented, conducted in laboratories in France, Austria, and Greece. The influence of the actions -static and mainly dynamic- on the track response and the stress and strain of the ballast-bed are also discussed as derived from the tests and theoretical analysis.

Image-Aided Analysis of Ballast Particle Movement Along a High-Speed Railway

As a core infrastructure of high-speed railways,ballast layers constituted by graded crushed stones feature noteworthy particle movement compared with normal railways,which may cause excessive settlement and have detrimental effects on train operation.However,the movement behavior remains ambiguous due to a lack of effective measurement approaches and analytical methods.In this study,an image-aided technique was developed in a full-scale model test using digital cameras and a colorbased identification approach.A total of 1274 surface ballast particles were manually dyed by discernible colors to serve as tracers in the test.The movements of the surface ballast particles were tracked using the varied pixels displaying tracers in the photos that were intermittently taken during the test in the perpendicular direction.The movement behavior of ballast particles under different combinations of train speeds and axle loads was quantitatively evaluated.The obtained results indicated that the surface ballast particle movements were slight,mainly concentrated near sleepers under low-speed train loads and greatly amplified and extended to the whole surface when the train speed reached 360 km.h-1.Additionally,the development of ballast particle displacement statistically resembled its rotation.Track vibration contributed to the movements of ballast particles,which specifically were driven by vertical acceleration near the track center and horizontal acceleration at the track edge.Furthermore,the development trends of ballast particle movements and track settlement under long-term train loading were similar,and both stabilized at nearly the same time.The track performance,including the vibration characteristics,accumulated settlement,and sleeper support stiffness,was determined to be closely related to the direction and distribution of ballast particle flow,which partly deteriorated under high-speed train loads.

A study on characteristic indexesof railway ballast bed underhigh-frequency radar

Purpose–In this paper,a high-frequency radar test system was used to collect the data of clean ballast bed and fouled ballast bed of ballasted tracks,respectively,for a quantitative evaluation of the condition of railway ballast bed.Design/methodology/approach–Based on original radar signals,the time–frequency characteristics of radar signals were analyzed,five ballast bed condition characteristic indexes were proposed,including the frequency domain integral area,scanning area,number of intersections with the time axis,number of timedomain inflection points and amplitude envelope obtained by Hilbert transform,and the effectiveness and sensitivity of the indexes were analyzed.Findings–The thickness of ballast bed tested at the sleep bottom by high-frequency radar is up to 55 cm,which meets the requirements of ballast bed detection.Compared with clean ballast bed,the values of the five indexes of fouled ballast bed are larger,and the five indexes could effectively show the condition of the ballast bed.The computational efficiency of amplitude envelope obtained by Hilbert transform is 140 s$km
1,and the computational efficiency of other indexes is 5 s$km
1.The amplitude envelopes obtained by Hilbert transform in the subgrade sections and tunnel sections are the most sensitive,followed by scanning area.The number of intersections with the time axis in the bridge sections was the most sensitive,followed by the scanning area.The scanning area can adapt to different substructures such as subgrade,bridges and tunnels,with high comprehensive sensitivity.Originality/value–The research can provide appropriate characteristic indexes from the high-frequency radar original signal to quantitatively evaluate ballast bed condition under different substructures.

基于准动态评估的桥上有砟轨道最优级配研究

道砟级配是有砟轨道的重要参数,对桥上有砟道床准动态稳定性和容重有较大影响。通过离散元法建立桥上有砟道床模型,研究各国级配下道床准动态稳定性差异;采用极限思维法,揭示各粒径含量对桥上有砟道床准动态稳定性的影响程度,并对道床容重特性进行初探。结果表明:当桥上道床密度为1.7 g/cm~3时,道床横向阻力值为:俄罗斯B类>中国特级>中国一级>美国4A;大粒径道砟含量越高,道床横向阻力值越大;小粒径道砟含量增加,道床横向阻力值先减小后略有增大;为保证道床具有较高稳定性,建议小粒径道砟含量应大于0但不超过30%,中粒径道砟含量应不为0,大粒径道砟含量应不低于15.5%;采用最优级配区间所建立的桥上有砟道床具有工程上所青睐的道床容重特性。

基于离散元的重载铁路有砟轨道阻力特性研究

研究目的:有砟轨道在重载铁路中广泛采用,随着服役时间的增加,在列车荷载反复作用下,道床性能会随之变化,线路阻力呈现动态发展的时变特性。作为求解梁轨相互作用的关键,准确合理地选取线路纵向阻力是保证梁轨相互作用计算准确的前提,关系梁轨系统的正常使用与安全运营。研究结论:(1)颗粒级配由粗到细,纵向线阻力逐渐减小;摩擦系数由小到大,纵向线阻力稍微增加;(2)结合不同级配建立的道床模型模拟出的纵向线阻力-位移曲线,获得纵向线阻力动态演化模型,可知线路纵向阻力由新建线路的阻力29.7 kN/(m·线)演化到破碎充分时的23.6 kN/(m·线),退化幅度约为20.5%;(3)本研究成果可为开展全服役期内重载铁路的梁轨相互作用等相关研究提供关键参数。

力稳定车稳定装置-有砟轨道耦合系统动力学特性研究

提出了一种针对动力稳定车作业过程动力学响应分析的稳定装置-轨排-道床耦合动力学模型。参照铁路行业标准设定了5种道床状态,基于ADAMS建立了虚拟样机仿真模型。系统地讨论了道床状态和作业参数对耦合系统横向振动响应的影响效果,以及各研究对象间的相互作用关系。研究结果表明:在5种道床范围内,系统共振频率随道床状态参数提升而增大;垂向下压力与系统振动响应幅值呈线性负相关,且其对振幅的影响效果显著低于激振频率;稳定装置与轨枕的横向加速度、速度和位移振幅相近,显著大于道床振幅,激振器振动能量主要为道床吸收;2级道床状态下,稳定作业过程中,自第3号响应输出点起,轨枕和道床块的各响应参数振幅急剧减小。

捣固装置与有砟道床相互作用及捣固频率的影响研究

捣固频率是大型养路机械作业的关键参数,影响捣固作业动力作用及养修效果。基于压电效应研发了能适应复杂、恶劣捣固作业环境的动态冲击力传感器,自主设计了高精度、高时效的捣镐冲击力测试方法,通过现场试验研究了捣固频率对捣镐冲击力及道床力学质量状态的影响;基于离散元与多柔性体动力学耦合算法构建了捣固装置-有砟轨道精细化系统模型,通过仿真计算研究了捣固频率对道砟受力特征及运动行为的影响。结果表明:在一定范围内增大捣固频率可减小捣镐冲击力,同时提高道床力学质量状态;当捣固频率为30 Hz~40 Hz时,道砟受力相对较小,最不易发生劣化现象,且道砟运动最充分,养修效果最佳。

基于惯导数据的铁路有砟轨道智能捣固技术

研究目的:随着铁路建设的不断发展,中国的有砟铁路速度也在不断提高,目前200 km/h及以上的有砟铁路在铁路建设中已经占据了相当大的比例,而相对应的2010年发布的《高速铁路轨道工程施工质量验收标准》(TB 10754—2010)中,针对高速有砟铁路的特点,增加了轨道精调整理作业这一工序,后续2018年发布的新版沿用了这道工序。目前由于各施工单位对技术规范的条文理解不同,各单位在轨道精调整理作业时做法不一,效果也相差较大。基于惯导数据的铁路有砟轨道智能捣固技术,目的是以CPⅢ轨道控制网为依托,利用惯导小车测量系统进行测量和数据分析,为大型机养设备精调作业提供及时有效的数据支持。通过对08-32捣固车GVA控制系统升级改造,可批量导入轨道测量数据,避免了人工录入数据时的差错和误操作,提高了精调作业质量和效率。通过上述先进技术应用,总结出一整套适合高速铁路有砟轨道精调工艺方法,使新建有砟轨道能够快速达到高平顺性、高稳定性状态,达到保证施工质量、减少现场精调作业遍数及对扣件的扰动、提高施工效率、确保施工安全的目的。研究结论:(1)基于惯导小车测量系统和自主升级改造的08-32捣固车开发的有砟轨道精调整理成套技术,轨道精调精度高、工艺先进、安全可靠、工效显著;(2)应用惯导小车测量系统对有砟轨道精调施工进行测量和数据分析,测量效率及精度高,可为大型机养设备精调作业提供及时有效的数据支持;(3)GVA控制系统升级改造后的08-32捣固车,提升了自动化程度,提高了作业效率,拓展了适应范围,作业精度高;(4)该项技术可广泛应用于时速200 km及以上铁路有砟轨道精调作业,实现有砟轨道几何尺寸快速达标。

考虑路基剪切效应的高速铁路有砟轨道-车辆系统移动元分析

为在现有三层离散支撑梁有砟轨道模型中考虑路基土体间的剪切效应,在Pasternak双参数地基模型基础上对剪切层进行离散处理,采用移动单元法建立了考虑路基土体剪切效应的有砟轨道-车辆耦合动力学模型,将移动单元法与MATLAB相结合,编制计算程序,通过MATLAB数值计算,研究路基剪切效应对车-轨耦合系统的影响,以及轨道不平顺和轨枕空吊对系统动力特性的影响规律。研究结果表明,考虑路基剪切效应时,钢轨、轨枕、道砟的位移响应均有不同程度的减小,并且抑制情况从钢轨到道砟相差逐渐增大,三者的加速度响应也均有较为明显的下降,其对加速度响应的抑制效果从道砟到轨枕依次减小,但钢轨的加速度减幅大于道砟,对轮轨接触力有一定影响,但影响不明显,减幅仅为0.85%;不平顺幅值和波长特性对系统的动力响应会产生显著影响,随着幅值增大和短波成分增加,系统动力响应加剧,其中2 m左右短波不平顺和90%百分位数谱对轮轨动力特性影响显著;列车经过空吊区域时,空吊及周围区域轨道结构动力响应会发生突变,导致系统动力响应超过限值。建立的基于移动单元法的有砟轨道-车辆耦合模型及相关分析可为高速铁路的振动分析提供参考依据。