Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Response of Critical Zones in a Ballasted Railway Track

Punetha, P; Maharjan, K; Nimbalkar, S

Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Response of Critical Zones in a Ballasted Railway Track

Punetha, P

Maharjan, K Nimbalkar, S

Permalink

Publisher:: Frontiers Media SA
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Frontiers in Built Environment, 2021, 7, pp. 660292
Issue Date:: 2021-04-09

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (5.55 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Punetha, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0812-4708
dc.contributor.author	Maharjan, K
dc.contributor.author	Nimbalkar, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1538-3396
dc.date.accessioned	2021-04-26T01:18:04Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-26T01:18:04Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-09
dc.identifier.citation	Frontiers in Built Environment, 2021, 7, pp. 660292
dc.identifier.issn	2297-3362
dc.identifier.issn	2297-3362
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148357
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>The critical zones are the discontinuities along a railway line that are highly susceptible to differential settlement, due to an abrupt variation in the support conditions over a short span. Consequently, these zones require frequent maintenance to ensure adequate levels of passenger safety and comfort. A proper understanding of the behavior of railway tracks at critical zones is imperative to enhance their performance and reduce the frequency of costly maintenance operations. This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of the critical zone along a bridge-open track transition under moving train loads using two-dimensional finite element approach. The influence of different subgrade types on the track behavior is studied. The effectiveness of using geogrids, wedge-shaped engineered backfill and zone with reduced sleeper spacing in improving the performance of the critical zone is evaluated. The numerical model is successfully validated against the field data reported in the literature. The results indicate that the subgrade soil significantly influences the track response on the softer side of the critical zone. The difference in vertical displacement between the stiffer and the softer side of a track transition decreases significantly with an increase in the strength and stiffness of the subgrade soil. The subgrade layer also influences the contribution of the granular layers (ballast and subballast) to the overall track response. As the subgrade becomes stiffer and stronger, the contribution of the granular layers to the overall track displacement increases. The mitigation techniques that improve the stiffness or strength of granular layers may prove more effective for critical zones with stiff subgrade than critical zones with soft subgrade. Among all the mitigation techniques investigated, the wedge-shaped engineered backfill significantly improved the performance of the critical zone by gradually increasing the track stiffness.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Frontiers Media SA
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Built Environment
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3389/fbuil.2021.660292
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Finite Element Modeling of the Dynamic Response of Critical Zones in a Ballasted Railway Track
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CBI - Centre for Built Infrastructure
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-04-26T01:18:02Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	7

Abstract:

The critical zones are the discontinuities along a railway line that are highly susceptible to differential settlement, due to an abrupt variation in the support conditions over a short span. Consequently, these zones require frequent maintenance to ensure adequate levels of passenger safety and comfort. A proper understanding of the behavior of railway tracks at critical zones is imperative to enhance their performance and reduce the frequency of costly maintenance operations. This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of the critical zone along a bridge-open track transition under moving train loads using two-dimensional finite element approach. The influence of different subgrade types on the track behavior is studied. The effectiveness of using geogrids, wedge-shaped engineered backfill and zone with reduced sleeper spacing in improving the performance of the critical zone is evaluated. The numerical model is successfully validated against the field data reported in the literature. The results indicate that the subgrade soil significantly influences the track response on the softer side of the critical zone. The difference in vertical displacement between the stiffer and the softer side of a track transition decreases significantly with an increase in the strength and stiffness of the subgrade soil. The subgrade layer also influences the contribution of the granular layers (ballast and subballast) to the overall track response. As the subgrade becomes stiffer and stronger, the contribution of the granular layers to the overall track displacement increases. The mitigation techniques that improve the stiffness or strength of granular layers may prove more effective for critical zones with stiff subgrade than critical zones with soft subgrade. Among all the mitigation techniques investigated, the wedge-shaped engineered backfill significantly improved the performance of the critical zone by gradually increasing the track stiffness.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/148357