Dynamic Behaviour of Ballasted Railway Track with Special Reference to Transition Zones
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2022
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In this thesis, a novel methodology is developed to predict the dynamic behaviour of the ballasted railway tracks under train-induced repeated loading and assess the suitability of different countermeasures in improving the track performance. An integrated approach is first developed by combining loading, resiliency, and empirical settlement models to evaluate the transient and irrecoverable response of a railway track. Subsequently, this empirical approach is replaced with a mechanistic approach, in which plastic slider elements capture the material plasticity. The accuracy of this method is further enhanced by incorporating the effect of principal stress rotation on the track response. This improved rheological approach is then applied to a transition zone by considering the inhomogeneous support conditions along the track. The methodology is successfully validated with published field data and predictions from the finite-element analyses. Finally, the adequacy of using geoinclusions to improve the performance of transition zones is investigated using the developed methodology and finite-element analyses. This thesis provides original, simple yet elegant, reliable, practical, and adaptable techniques to assist railway engineers in analysing the performance of various sections of railway tracks, identifying the most effective method to improve the track performance, planning the maintenance operations, and improving the design.
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