Dynamic Axle Loads as a Main Source of Railway Track Degradation

During train operation, geometrical irregularities develop in soil-supported ballasted railway tracks as a function of born tonnage. This form of degradation is combatted by periodic maintenance in the form of tamping by specially equipped trains in order to guarantee predefined levels of structural performance. The growth of irregular...

Dynamic Axle Loads as a Main Source of Railway Track Degradation

During train operation, geometrical irregularities develop in soil-supported ballasted railway tracks as a function of born tonnage. This form of degradation is combatted by periodic maintenance in the form of tamping by specially equipped trains in order to guarantee predefined levels of structural performance. The growth of irregular...

Analysis of Bridge Transition Zones in Railways Considering the Moisture Condition of the Ballast and Subballast

Transition zones in railway tracks are the locations with considerable changes in vertical support structures, e.g., near bridges. Due to possible water flow constrictions in transition zone structures, there is frequently an increased moisture level in the ballast/subballast layers, which is a potential source of track degradation. This paper...

Modelling ballast via a non-linear lattice to assess its compaction behaviour at railway transition zones

Locations in railway tracks where significant variations of the track properties occur are subject to increased track deterioration. To successfully mitigate this, the mechanisms leading to the increased deterioration need to be understood. To this end, this work presents a non-linear constitutive law for a lattice model able to describe the...