MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAILWAYSTRUCTURES BASED ON VERTICAL STIFFNESS ANALYSIS AND RAILWAY SUBSTRUCTURE STRESS STATE

This paper uses the finite element method to analyse the mechanical behaviour of different track types by considering the different conditions to which they may be subjected: superstructure, height, embankment and foundation quality. The values of the stress and deformation as a function of depth are obtained at each point of the cross-section of the considered track. These values allow quantification of the basic design parameters for railway structures: track stiffness and stress supported by the railway platform. Optimal combinations of superstructure, height, embankment and foundation materials are presented for various specific operation conditions. The presented information can be used to improve the design of railway structures.Montalban Domingo, ML.; Real Herráiz, JI.; Real Herraiz, TP. (2012). MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF RAILWAYSTRUCTURES BASED ON VERTICAL STIFFNESS ANALYSIS AND RAILWAY SUBSTRUCTURE STRESS STATE. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit. 227(1):74-85. doi:10.1177/095440971245234874852271Burrow, M. P. N., Bowness, D., & Ghataora, G. S. (2007). A comparison of railway track foundation design methods. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 221(1), 1-12. doi:10.1243/09544097jrrt58Powrie, W., Yang, L. A., & Clayton, C. R. I. (2007). Stress changes in the ground below ballasted railway track during train passage. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 221(2), 247-262. doi:10.1243/0954409jrrt95Gallego Giner, I., & López Pita, A. (2009). Numerical simulation of embankment—structure transition design. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 223(4), 331-343. doi:10.1243/09544097jrrt234Saad, B., Mitri, H., & Poorooshasb, H. (2006). 3D FE Analysis of Flexible Pavement with Geosynthetic Reinforcement. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 132(5), 402-415. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2006)132:5(402)Saad, B., Mitri, H., & Poorooshasb, H. (2005). Three-Dimensional Dynamic Analysis of Flexible Conventional Pavement Foundation. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 131(6), 460-469. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2005)131:6(460)Yen, S.-T., & Lee, Y.-H. (2007). Parameter Identification and Analysis of a Slab Track System Using 3D ABAQUS Program. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 133(5), 288-297. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2007)133:5(288)Shahu, J. T., Kameswara Rao, N., & Yudhbir. (1999). Parametric study of resilient response of tracks with a sub-ballast layer. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 36(6), 1137-1150. doi:10.1139/t99-054QIU, Y., DENNIS, N., & ELLIOTT, R. (2000). Design Criteria for Permanent Deformation of Subgrade Soils in Flexible Pavements for Low-volume Roads. SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS, 40(1), 1-10. doi:10.3208/sandf.40.1Helwany, S., Dyer, J., & Leidy, J. (1998). Finite-Element Analyses of Flexible Pavements. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 124(5), 491-499. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(1998)124:5(491)Radampola, S. S., Gurung, N., McSweeney, T., & Dhanasekar, M. (2008). Evaluation of the properties of railway capping layer soil. Computers and Geotechnics, 35(5), 719-728. doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2008.01.001Ali, B., Sadek, M., & Shahrour, I. (2009). Finite-Element Model for Urban Pavement Rutting: Analysis of Pavement Rehabilitation Methods. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 135(4), 235-239. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2009)135:4(235)Darestani, M. Y., Thambiratnam, D. P., Nataatmadja, A., & Baweja, D. (2007). Structural Response of Concrete Pavements under Moving Truck Loads. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 133(12), 670-676. doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-947x(2007)133:12(670)Drucker, D. C., & Prager, W. (1952). Soil mechanics and plastic analysis or limit design. Quarterly of Applied Mathematics, 10(2), 157-165. doi:10.1090/qam/48291Kabo, E. (2006). A numerical study of the lateral ballast resistance in railway tracks. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 220(4), 425-433. doi:10.1243/0954409jrrt61Sadeghi, J., & Askarinejad, H. (2010). Development of Nonlinear Railway Track Model Applying Modified Plane Strain Technique. Journal of Transportation Engineering, 136(12), 1068-1074. doi:10.1061/(asce)te.1943-5436.0000173Li, D., & Selig, E. T. (1998). Method for Railroad Track Foundation Design. I: Development. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 124(4), 316-322. doi:10.1061/(asce)1090-0241(1998)124:4(316)Lopez Pita A. Infraestructuras ferroviarias, First ed. Barcelona, Spain: UPC, 2006; 183–183