Numerical models of railway tracks for obtaining frequency response Comparison with analytical results and experimental measurements

Many authors have focused their research on the vibrations caused by railway traffic, and have developed diverse models of railway tracks: from half-track analytical models up to complex numerical models. This paper presents numerical models, built using FEM software, for different types of railway tracks. These models describe in detail the superstructure vibratory response induced by vertical forces acting on the top of the rail head, and include aspects not reflected in the analytical models. The numerical results are compared with previously presented analytical ones, as well as with experimental measurements