Moving element analysis of discretely supported high-speed rail systems

Abstract

In this paper, a computational scheme in conjunction with the moving element method has been proposed to investigate the dynamic response of a high-speed rail system in which the discrete sleepers on the subgrade support the railway track. The track foundation is modeled as a beam supported by uniformly spaced discrete spring-damper units. The high-speed train is modeled as a moving sprung-mass system that travels over the track. The effect of the stiffness of the discrete supports, train speed, and railhead roughness on the dynamic behavior of the train–track system has been investigated. As a comparison, the response of a continuously supported high-speed rail system that uses a foundation stiffness equivalent to that of a discretely supported track has been obtained. The difference in results between the “equivalent” continuously supported and the discretely supported high-speed rails has been compared and discussed. In general, the study found that a high-speed train that travels over a discretely supported track produces more severe vibrations than that travels over a continuously supported track of equivalent foundation stiffness.