A Computational Approach to Smoothen the Abrupt Stiffness Variation along Railway Transitions
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper presents a novel approach to smoothen the abrupt stiffness variation along railway transitions and provides a step-by-step design of a multistep transition zone comprising adjoining segments with changing stiffness values. The influence of stiffness on track dynamic response applied to transition zones is investigated analytically, considering a beam on an elastic foundation. Vertical track displacements for varying stiffness values under different combinations of axle loads and speeds are calculated analytically and numerically, and they are found to be in good agreement. The results indicate that stiffer tracks undergo less settlement compared to those having a smaller stiffness. The effect of abrupt stiffness variation at transition sections is analyzed under four-carriage loading that causes considerable differential settlement, which is further exacerbated by increased train speeds. A mathematical process is introduced to determine the optimum stiffness of each segment to ensure a gradual change in stiffness while minimizing the corresponding differential settlement. The proposed methodology is further validated through the finite element modelling approach and worked-out examples epitomizing the effects of stiffness variation along the number of transition steps. From a practical perspective, this study provides a significant extension for design rejuvenation of transition zones by minimizing the differential settlement at any two consecutive transition segments.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, including data for plotting figures and parts of programming.
Acknowledgments
This research was carried out by the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Advanced Technologies in Rail Track Infrastructure (IC170100006 and DP220102862), funded by the Australian Government. The authors thank the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for their continuous support and cooperation. The authors also appreciate the insightful collaboration and assistance of the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) and Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC), in particular the comments and thoughtful advice they each provided for the current study.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 8 • August 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 1, 2022
Accepted: Mar 24, 2023
Published online: Jun 7, 2023
Published in print: Aug 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 7, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Beams
- Continuum mechanics
- Design (by type)
- Differential settlement
- Dynamic response
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Elastic foundations
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Finite element method
- Foundation settlement
- Foundations
- Geotechnical engineering
- Infrastructure
- Load factors
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Rail transportation
- Solid mechanics
- Stiffening
- Structural behavior
- Structural design
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Transportation engineering
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