Abstract

In this study, in situ experiments were conducted to study the changing characteristics of the lateral and longitudinal resistance of a ballast bed, and a three-dimensional model for the ballast bed and sleeper was constructed based on the discrete-element method. The effects of the lateral and longitudinal resistance of the ballast bed, such as gravel ballast grading, sleeper depth, the angle of the shoulder slope, and ballast bed shoulder width, among others, were studied. The results suggest that (1) the lateral and longitudinal resistance of the ballast bed increases with the widening of ballast grading, and within the size distribution limits, the resistance of the ballast bed satisfies the specification; (2) the lateral and longitudinal resistance of ballast bed increases with an increase in the sleeper depth and the resistance of ballast bed satisfies the specifications for sleeper depth greater than 150 mm; (3) the lateral resistance of the ballast bed increases with a decrease in the angle of the shoulder slope, whereas the longitudinal resistance remains unchanged and the resistance of the ballast bed satisfies the specifications for slope gradient of 1:1.75 or less; and finally, (4) the lateral resistance of the ballast bed increases with the widening of the ballast bed shoulder, whereas the longitudinal resistance remains unchanged, and the resistance of ballast bed satisfies the specifications when the shoulder width is greater than 400 mm.

Highlights

  • Ballasted tracks are traditional railway structures and are advantageous in terms of their low cost, low vibration and noise, and easy maintenance, among others.[1]

  • The lateral and longitudinal resistance of the ballast bed was studied as a function of ballast grading, sleeper depth, the angle of the shoulder slope, and ballast bed shoulder width

  • The results suggest that for shoulder slope gradient of 1:1.75 or lower, the lateral resistance is 12 kN per sleeper and the longitudinal resistance is 14 kN per sleeper

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Summary

Introduction

Ballasted tracks are traditional railway structures and are advantageous in terms of their low cost, low vibration and noise, and easy maintenance, among others.[1]. In situ experiments were carried out, and a 3D model for the ballast bed and sleeper was constructed based on the discrete-element method. The lateral and longitudinal resistance of the ballast bed was studied as a function of ballast grading, sleeper depth, the angle of the shoulder slope, and ballast bed shoulder width.

Results
Conclusion
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