Evaluating the dynamic behavior of railway-bridge transition zone: numerical and field measurements

Abstract

Short-span bridges are one of the most frequent infrastructures along railway tracks where railway track stiffness suddenly changes. The sudden variation in the vertical stiffness of railway tracks increases dynamic loads and causes numerous defects in ballasted railroads. Therefore, improving the dynamic performance of railway tracks can be conducted by constructing countermeasures along the transition zone. In this regard, the approach slab is a practical technique used in railway-bridge transition zones. As the dimensional shape of the approach slab plays a significant role in the dynamic response of transition zones, this study evaluated the effects of its main geometric parameters. A three-dimensional model of the railway portal bridge, including the approach slab, was built using the finite element method and analyzed by imposing moving wheel loads as a series of acting force points along rail elements. The model was validated with field-obtained results acquired through a laser/camera-based measuring technique. Then, some sensitivity analyses were performed to find optimized geometric dimensions of approach slabs to improve the dynamic behavior of railway-bridge transition zones. Obtained results of the geometrical sensitivity analysis show that when the geometrically optimized approach slab is used along the railway-bridge transition zone, the displacements of rail and ballast are decreased by 24% and 18%, respectively.