Influence of track foundation on the performance of ballast and concrete slab tracks under cyclic loading: Physical modelling and numerical model calibration

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

A. Ramos (Author) Other; A. Gomes Correia (Author) Other; Rui Calçada (Author) FEUP; Pedro Alves Costa (Author) FEUP; A. Esen (Author) Other; P. K. Woodward (Author) Other; D. P. Connolly (Author) Other; O. Laghrouche (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Construction and Building Materials

Vol. 277

Pages: 1-13

ISSN: 0950-0618

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-CFW

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122245

Abstract (EN): Ballast and slab railway track structures are constructed from different materials, thus requiring different maintenance strategies. Therefore, this paper compares the settlement performance of both structures using laboratory experiments, and calibrates numerical models based upon the results. Firstly, a comparison of the short and long-term behaviour of ballasted and slab tracks under cyclic loading is performed at full-scale. Both tracks have the same track foundation but a different track superstructure, and are subject to 3 million cycles of loading. The results are used to develop and calibrate the short-term response of a 3D finite element model of both track structures. They are also used to calibrate an empirical permanent deformation model for the track foundation, where the number of load cycles and stresses are the main inputs. A strong agreement is found between the numerical and experimental results. This justifies the track modelling approach in predicting the long-term behaviour of track structures where the subgrade is influential.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13