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.

Effect of temperature gradientinduced periodic deformation of CRTS Ⅲ slab track on dynamic responses of the train-track system

Purpose-Temperature is an important load for a ballastless track.However,little research has been conducted on the dynamic responses when a train travels on a ballastless track under the temperature gradient.The dynamic responses under different temperature gradients of the slab are theoretically investigated in this work.Design/methodology/approach-Considering the moving train,the temperature gradient of the slab,and the gravity of the slab track,a dynamic model for a high-speed train that runs along the CRTS Ⅲ slab track on subgrade is developed by a nonlinear coupled way in Abaqus.Findings-The results are as follows:(1)The upward transmission of the periodic deformation of the slab causes periodic track irregularity.(2)Because of the geometric constraint of limiting structures,the maximum bending stresses of the slab occur near the end of the slab under positive temperature gradients,but in the middle of the slab under negative temperature gradients.(3)The periodic deformation of the slab can induce periodic changes in the interlayer stiffness and contact status,leading to a large vibration of the slab.Because of the vibration-reduction capacity of the fastener and the larger mass of the concrete base,the accelerations of both the slab and concrete base are far less than the acceleration of the rail.Originality/value-This study reveals the influence mechanism of temperature gradient-induced periodic deformation in the dynamic responses of the train-track system,and it also provides a guide for the safe service of CRTS Ⅲ slab track.

Influences of cement asphalt emulsified mortar construction on track slab geometry status

Purpose–The construction of cement asphalt(CA)emulsified mortar can obviously disturb the slab status after the fine adjustment.To decrease or eliminate the influence of CA mortar grouting on track slab geometry status,the effects of grouting funnel,slab pressing method,mortar expansion ratio,seepage ratio and grouting area on China Railway Track System Type(CRTS I)track slab geometry status were discussed in this paper.Design/methodology/approach–Combined with engineering practice,this paper studied the expansion law of filling layer mortar,the liquid level height of the filling funnel,the pressure plate device and the amount of exudation water and systematically analyzed the influence of filling layer mortar construction on the state of track slab.Relevant precautions and countermeasures were put forward.Findings–The results showed that the track slab floating values of four corners were different with the CA mortar grouting and the track slab corner near CA mortar grouting hole had the maximum floating values.The anti-floating effect of“7”shaped slab pressing device was more efficient than fixed-joint angle iron,and the slab floating value could be further decreased by increasing the amount of“7”shaped slab pressing devices.After CA mortar grouting,the track slab floating pattern had a close correlation with the expansion rate and water seepage rate of CA mortar over time and the expansion and water seepage rate of the mortar were faster when the temperature was high.Furthermore,the use of strip CA mortar filling under the rail bearing platform on bothsides could effectively reduce the float under the track slab,and it could also save mortar consumption and reduce costs.Originality/value–This study plays an important role in controlling the floating values,CA mortar dosage and the building cost of projects by grouting CA mortar at two flanks of filling space.The research results have guiding significance for the design and construction of China’s CRTS I,CRTS II and CRTS III track slab.

Experimental study of temperature gradient in track slab under outdoor conditions in Chengdu area

Temperature is one of the important loads for designing slab track. The characteristic of slab track tem- perature varies greatly with different regional climates. In this work, a bi-block slab track model was built under outdoor conditions in Chengdu area; the statistical characteristic of temperature gradient in track slab and the relationship between temperature gradient and surface air temperature were tested and analyzed. The results show that the track slab temperature gradient will vary periodically according to the surface air temperature, and show a clear nonlinearity along the height direction. The temperature gradient distribution is extremely uneven： the temperature gradient in the top part of the track slab is larger than that in the bottom part; the most frequently occurring temperature gradient of the track slab is around -3.5 ℃/m and more than 75 % locates in the level -10 to 10 ℃/m; concrete with a relatively good heat exchange condition with the surrounding air has a narrower band distribution. In addition, the frequency distribution histogram should exclude the time zone from 00：00 to 06：00 because there is almost no traffic in this period. The amplitude of track slab temperature variation is obviously lower than that of the air temperature variation, and the former is approximately linear with the latter.

Analysis theory of spatial vibration of high-speed train and slab track system

The motor and trailer cars of a high-speed train were modeled as a multi-rigid body system with two suspensions. According to structural characteristic of a slab track, a new spatial vibration model of track segment element of the slab track was put forward. The spatial vibration equation set of the high-speed train and slab track system was then established on the basis of the principle of total potential energy with stationary value in elastic system dynamics and the rule of ＂set-in-right-position＂ for formulating system matrices. The equation set was solved by the Wilson-θ direct integration method. The contents mentioned above constitute the analysis theory of spatial vibration of high-speed train and slab track system. The theory was then verified by the high-speed running experiment carried out on the slab track in the Qinghuangdao-Shenyang passenger transport line. The results show that the calculated results agree well with the measured rcsults, such as the calculated lateral and vertical rail displacements are 0.82 mm and 0.9 mm and the measured ones 0.75 mm and 0.93 mm, respectively; the calculated lateral and vertical wheel-rail forces are 8.9 kN and 102.3 kN and the measured ones 8.6 kN and 80.2 kN, respectively. The interpolation method, that is, the lateral finite strip and slab segment element, for slab deformation proposed is of simplification and applicability compared with the traditional plate element method. All of these demonstrate the reliability of the theory proposed.

Dynamic analysis of slab track on multi-layered transversely isotropic saturated soils subjected to train loads

The dynamic responses of a slab track on transversely isotropic saturated soils subjected to moving train loads are investigated by a semi-analytical approach. The track model is described as an upper Euler beam to simulate the rails and a lower Euler beam to model the slab. Rail pads between the rails and slab are represented by a continuous layer of springs and dashpots. A series of point loads are formulated to describe the moving train loads. The governing equations of track-ground systems are solved using the double Fourier transform, and the dynamic responses in the time domain are obtained by the inverse Fourier transform. The results show that a train load with high velocity will generate a larger response in transversely isotropic saturated soil than the lower velocity load, and special attention should be paid on the pore pressure in the vicinity of the ground surface. The anisotropic parameters of a surface soil layer will have greater influence on the displacement and excess pore water pressure than those of the subsoil layer. The traditional design method taking ground soil as homogeneous isotropic soil is unsafe for the case of RE 〈 1 and RG 〈 1, so a transversely isotropic foundation model is of great significance to the design for high train velocities.

Analysis of vibration reduction characteristics and applicability of steel-spring floating-slab track

A coupled dynamics computation model for metro vehicles, along with a steel-spring floating-slab track, is developed based on the theory of vehicle-track coupled dynamics. Using the developed model, the influences of the thickness, length and mass of floating-slab, spring rate and its arrangement space, running speed, etc. on the time and frequency domain characteristics of steel-spring fulcrum force are analyzed. The applicability of steel-spring floatingslab track is discussed through two integrated example cases of metro and buildings possessing distinct natural vibra- tion characteristics. It is concluded that, it is quite significant, in the optimization modular design of the parameters of steel-spring floating-slab track, to take the matching relationship of both the amplitude-frequency characteristics of steel-spring fulcrum force and natural vibration characteristics of integrated structures into comprehensive consideration. In this way the expensive steel-spring floating-slab track can be economically and efficiently utilized according to the site condition, and at the same time, the economic losses and bad social impact resulted from the resonance during usage of steel-spring floating-slab track can be avoided.

Slab Tracking and Controlling on Hot Plate Rolling Line

By studying the slab moving in detail in the plate rolling process, the problem of slab tracking and controlling was solved by using the distributed control system. The problems of rhythm control for the big-complex system, the exchange of manual and automatic operations, the data exchange between the levelⅠ, TCS (technology control system) and levelⅡ, PCS (process control system), are solved. By this way, the automatic level of the plate production line is improved.

Testing and Approval Procedures for New Slab Track Systems in Europe

This paper describes the required testing and approval procedures of new track systems operated in Europe. To begin with, test methods and performance specifications according to European Standard （EN） are outlined. These include the repeated loading test, the determination of the static and dynamic stiffness of rail pads, clamping force and longitudinal rail resistance. The fact that labor tests are unable to simulate all the conditions in situ shows that these labor tests are not sufficient for the evaluation of the long term behaviour of a new track system： a test track of sufficient length must be constructed and exposed to traffic loads. In Europe to be accredited as a new system, a new slab track system must have a trial time of more than two years, during which the features of the whole system can be recognized. In the second part of this paper, the experience of the Institute of Road, Railway and Airfield Construction of TUM concerning the measuring methods of slab track systems carrying traffic are outlined. Also the approval procedure of the new slab tracks in Germany is discussed.

Research on Railway Engineering Experiment Teaching Principles Based on Virtual Simulation Experiment Teaching——Taking the Floating Slab Vibration Damping Track Virtual Experiment as an Example

Virtual simulation teaching is an addendum to the experimental teaching mode of railway engineering,and the two teaching methods complement each other and merge with each other.In view of the current research,there is little discussion about the integration path of the two above.Based on the connotation and design of virtual simulation teaching,this research systematically expounds the integration of the real path and path optimization problems,and puts forward the railway engineering experimental teaching principles based on virtual simulation teaching.On the basis of this research,a virtual simulation experiment platform for vibration mechanics and its application in the floating slab vibration damping track was developed to make full use of three-dimensional modeling,virtual reality,human-computer interaction and other technologies,which can realistically simulate the vibration law and vibration damping effect of the rail transit system,and in the hope that the virtual simulation teaching can be widely used in the experimental teaching mode of railway engineering in the future.

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.

9号道岔区铺设减振垫浮置板的行车安全性及舒适性研究

地铁道岔区在基本轨、尖轨处以及道岔钢轨接头处存在大量钢轨不连续地段,轮轨相互作用强烈,轨道系统振动明显,减振垫浮置板轨道作为一种高等减振措施已应用于地铁线路道岔区。为探究减振垫浮置板应用于9号道岔的适用性,并作为减振地段与普通无砟轨道的过渡段的可行性,以某地铁高架9号道岔为研究对象,建立桥上道岔三维有限元模型,仿真分析地铁B型车在120 km/h直向过岔和30 km/h侧向过岔的情况下,列车的行车安全性、舒适性以及轨下结构形变。对比在9号单开道岔区域设置的2种刚度过渡方式的优劣及其减振效果,较为系统地论证了在9号道岔区域铺设减振垫浮置板的可行性。研究结果表明:1)列车通过铺设减振垫浮置板的9号道岔区域时,浮置板位移极值出现在转辙区域和心轨区域,最大位移出现在尖轨位置,可增大尖轨处单板橡胶垫支承刚度,以保证轨道结构变形均匀;2)列车逆向侧向通过设置过渡段的减振垫浮置板道岔区时,2级过渡方式的车体最大垂向加速度、最大横向加速度、最大脱轨系数、最大轮重减载率、轨道刚度变化率以及减振效果等指标均优于1级过渡方式;3)在道岔区铺设减振垫浮置板,列车直向和侧向通过时的行车安全性和舒适性均能满足相关评价指标,且2级过渡方式更优。研究结果可为后续道岔区减振设计研究提供一定的理论参考。

城市轨道交通浮置板轨道纵向联板的动力效应分析

城市轨道交通浮置板轨道纵向联结处存在薄弱环节,轨道设计时对板与板纵向联结的动态效应考虑不足。通过引入等效密度及等效地基系数的方法对钢弹簧浮置板轨道系统板下基础进行合理的模型简化,建立了预制式和现浇式浮置板系统振动特性三维有限元分析模型,充分考虑了钢轨、剪力铰和板下基础对浮置板结构振动特性的影响,研究了浮置板轨道系统模态与谐响应特性,分析了浮置板纵向联结处的动力效应特性。结果表明:浮置板轨道在1~200 Hz低频段的模态振型变化主要表现为四种运动方式:刚体运动、弯曲、弯扭组合和扭转;对于预制板轨道系统,浮置板主导整个系统的振动特性表现的频段在系统模态分析和谐响应分析中表现出一致的规律;对于现浇板轨道系统,当频率为32.6~57.8 Hz时,浮置板对系统振动特性的主导作用弱化,表现为过渡频段;浮置板联板动力效应产生的低阶弯曲模态在预制板系统中表现为刚体运动模态;对于由Ns块板组成的浮置板系统,联板效应引起的单块板每阶弯曲模态频率附近的附加模态数为N_(s)/2-1。

基于轨道板振动加速度的钢轨振动加速度反演估计与现场验证

为研究高速铁路轨道板与钢轨之间的时空关联规律,提出变分模态-转换器(Variational Mode Decomposition-Transformer, VMD-T)反演模型,该模型通过分解轨道板振动加速度来反演估计钢轨振动加速度.首先,对数据进行预处理并利用双门限法检测振动端点,分离振动信号与静默信号、干扰信号,再将提取后的振动信号整合输入到VMD-T模型.其次,利用VMD模型将轨道板振动加速度数据分解成一系列不同的子模态,并网格遍历搜索与钢轨振动加速度相关系数最大的子模态,以降低原始数据的复杂度以及非平稳性,提升Transformer模型的特征抽取能力.然后,通过Transformer模型对搜索出的轨道板振动加速度子模态与钢轨振动加速度数据进行反演估计训练.最后,将该模型应用于某城际高速铁路轨道板与钢轨实测振动加速度数据反演估计试验.现场高铁试验结果表明:与单一Transformer模型相比,VMD-T模型均方根误差(RootMean Squared Error, RMSE)、绝对平均误差(Mean Absolute Error, MAE)及决定系数(R2_score)分别提升近20%、11%及48.1%,特征学习能力更强,反演估计效果更佳,初步实现钢轨垂向振动加速度幅值非接触式监测估计.

基于结构振动响应的长型浮置板轨道隔振器失效检测方法

目前钢弹簧浮置板轨道的隔振器失效判别主要依赖于人工巡检或视觉成像系统,但此类方法效率低、检测滞后且成本高昂。本文提出了一种自动化的检测方法,该方法利用残差学习思想和卷积神经网络基本理论构建数据分类器,并通过列车动荷载作用下的结构动力响应对现役某常见的长型浮置板轨道进行隔振器失效的检测识别。首先,基于车-轨垂向耦合动力学建立考虑隔振器不同服役状态的地铁车辆-浮置板轨道垂向耦合动力学仿真分析模型,进而生成多种运营工况下的数据集,用于网络的训练和性能测试;其次,进一步研究了传感器布置方式对网络检测性能的影响,以决定适宜的传感器布置方案;最后,在实际地铁线路中开展试验,对所提出的方法进行了验证。结果表明:通过对传感器布置位置进行优化,深度残差网络模型的检测准确性显著提升;合理设置传感器的数量也可以提高本文方法的检测性能;此外,通过适当选取传感器布置方案,本文提出的基于深度残差网络的隔振器失效检测方法在仿真数据中实现了98.99%的准确度,并在试验数据中实现了96.33%的准确度。该方法具有较高的可行性和应用潜力,可为地铁浮置板隔振器智能运维提供参考,并有望在未来用于隔振器失效的自动化检测。

基于广义柔度曲率信息熵的板式轨道脱空损伤识别

板式轨道填充层作为轨道结构关键部位,在高频列车荷载和环境共同作用下出现脱空损伤,引起脱空位置轨道结构刚度改变。为有效检测板式轨道的轨道板脱空情况,采用数值仿真分析得到无砟轨道模态信息,利用轨道脱空区域广义柔度曲率局部峰值进行轨道脱空损伤识别。结合广义柔度、均匀荷载面(Uniform load surface, ULS)、曲率和局部信息熵,提出可定位损伤的ULS曲率信息熵,并在CRTS III板式轨道上进行验证。研究结果表明:广义柔度曲率利用轨道脱空前后模态信息计算轨道脱空损伤曲率差,能够有效定位脱空位置;ULS曲率信息熵表征值只需要轨道的一阶模态信息便能够有效地反映轨道脱空位置及面积,且克服了广义柔度曲率需要健康模态信息的不足;轨道对称位置上相同面积脱空的ULS曲率信息熵值相同;ULS曲率信息熵值与脱空面积和厚度成正相关关系;ULS曲率信息熵表征值具有较好的损伤识别敏感性,能够识别小于单个测点布置面积的0.1 m×0.1 m小面积脱空,并且对轨道板边脱空识别敏感性高于轨道板中脱空识别敏感性。

不同基础条件下预制板式无砟轨道结构设计与检算

基于城市轨道交通工程建设需求,在非预应力轨道板结构设计基础上,采用有限元软件建立了不同基础条件下的无砟轨道结构耦合模型,结合极限状态法,研究开展了综合考虑列车荷载、温度梯度和基础变形作用下预制板的弯矩及配筋计算。结果表明:合理的非预应力板式无砟轨道结构设计,能够满足工程建设需求,路基段承载能力极限状态配筋设计受偶然组合作用控制,不同基础类型的轨道板纵横向配筋均受正常使用极限状态标准组合控制。

自密实混凝土性能劣化对CRTS Ⅲ型板式轨道荷载效应的影响

充填层是CRTS Ⅲ型板式轨道的核心部件,由于板式轨道是典型的“三明治”结构,充填层易受环境的影响而出现性能劣化,从而对轨道结构不利。为探究充填层自密实混凝土性能劣化对板式轨道荷载效应的影响,采用ABAQUS软件并结合已有的充填层混凝土损伤研究结果,建立充填层整体损伤工况和更接近实际使用情况的充填层梯度损伤工况的轨道结构有限元模型,计算轨道结构在不同工况的列车荷载和温度荷载下,轨道板、充填层和底座板的应力与位移变化情况,分析充填层疲劳损伤对轨道结构整体性能的影响。结果表明,充填层混凝土的整体损伤将导致充填层刚度显著下降,在列车和温度荷载下,轨道板和充填层组成的复合板易出现各方向的位移,使轨道结构出现局部磨耗增加和轨道不平顺等现象;充填层受荷时各向应力均大幅减小,轨道板的总体应力上升且易出现应力集中,底座板应力相较于其上部结构受充填层性能变化的影响较小。充填层出现四周梯度损伤时,不同荷载作用下,从损伤区至未损伤区应力和位移表现为连续变化,未出现明显的应力集中和应力突变;不同荷载作用下,轨道结构出现损伤的区域应力明显下降,但未发生损伤的板中部区域应力上升,加速了板中部区域的动载疲劳效应,间接增加了轨道结构的疲劳损伤。

双块式无砟轨道端梁区高温拱曲影响因素及控制技术

针对高速铁路双块式无砟轨道线路路基段两头端梁区附近道床板上拱问题,采用有限元方法,研究不同温度组合、路基段长度及端梁桩土约束刚度对道床板上拱的影响规律。结果表明:道床板的温度变形是引起上拱的主因,但支承层的变形扰动及其与道床板的温度变形组合效应不可忽视;随着路基段长度的增加,上拱幅值增加趋势明显;端梁的桩土约束对上拱的影响较为复杂,在中间某一特定约束刚度时上拱达到峰值,而当约束刚度无论变大或变小,上拱都呈现变小的趋势;断开支承层对控制高温上拱变形效果不显著,断开道床板则效果显著,但需协调考虑对应区段的钢轨受力。

高铁隧道内地下水作用下双块式无砟轨道道床板裂缝扩展研究

针对我国高速铁路隧道内CRTSⅠ型双块式无砟轨道施工阶段道床板开裂问题,运用有限元软件建立隧道-无砟轨道三维实体模型,研究地下水作用下隧道内无砟轨道各结构层位移隆起变化规律,并结合FRANC3D软件,在道床板结构受力最不利位置插入不同形状的预制三维裂缝,分析水压、裂缝长度对道床板裂缝扩展的影响。研究结果表明:(1)三角形荷载作用相较于均布荷载作用时,道床板位移隆起量虽有所减小,但地下水压的反复作用始终会影响轨道结构的平顺性,甚至导致道床板与仰拱填充间出现离缝;(2)裂缝长度是裂缝失稳扩展的控制因素,在排水系统完全堵塞时,建议将裂缝长度控制在200 mm以内;(3)水压为裂缝扩展的关键影响因素,同等条件下水压越大,道床板裂缝扩展越迅速,均布荷载下道床板裂缝尖端应力强度因子是对应三角形荷载下的1.2~1.4倍。