Calibration for discrete element modelling of railway ballast

A review

Review (2020)

Authors

Y. Guo Railway Engineering - CEG
Chunfa Zhao Southwest Jiaotong University
V.L. Markine Railway Engineering - CEG
Guoqing Jing Beijing Jiaotong University
Wanming Zhai Southwest Jiaotong University
Research Group
Railway Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 Y. Guo, Chunfa Zhao, V.L. Markine, Guoqing Jing, Wanming Zhai
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100341
Morphology Degradation Calibration Ballast Contact model Discrete element method Particle shape
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Engineering Structures

Research Group

Railway Engineering

Abstract

The discrete element method (DEM) has been confirmed as an effective numerical method for modelling railway ballast, and successfully used to analyse a wide range of ballast-related applications (e.g. geomaterials). However, there still exists some aspects under development. Among them, the model calibration can be the most significant one (morphology, degradation and contact model). Because reliable and accurate results can be obtained only when the parameters are carefully selected. Therefore, diverse DEM applications and developments in railway ballast are critically reviewed. Furthermore, the model calibration methods are discussed. This is able to help future researchers improve the existing calibration methods, further, build more accurate, standardised and validated DEM models for ballast-related studies. Additionally, this paper can assist researchers to choose an appropriate model for specific applications.