Nonlinear Analysis Method for Serviceability Investigation of Bridge Deck Ends with a Concrete Slab Track

Deokyong Sung

doi:10.1155/2018/6075686

Abstract

In this study, a nonlinear analysis method was proposed to evaluate the serviceability review of a rail fastening system on concrete slab track at railway bridge ends. The serviceability review of the end deck is time-consuming in that it is necessary to calculate the force of fasteners; also, the design is complex because of the many girders, fasteners, and loads. In addition, there is also a case in which a special, expensive fastening device is installed because the stiffness of the rail fastening device is assumed to be linear, and excessive design results are produced by the linear analysis method. In this study, a clamping force test of the fastening system was performed to confirm the real stiffness and the force versus displacement relationship. The test results were applied in the conventional linear analysis method and the proposed nonlinear analysis method to a railway bridge model specimen with concrete slab tracks. The results of the nonlinear analysis method considering the nonlinear stiffness of the rail fastening system through the clamping force test confirmed that the uplift force acting on the rail fastener was considerably reduced compared with that in the linear analysis method.

Highlights

Use of concrete slab track has been increasing worldwide in attempts to reduce the cost of track maintenance and ensure a stable ride
In the unit load method and the nonlinear analysis method, the maximum uplift forces on the fastening system of the bridge deck ends were 4.76 kN and 3.13 kN, respectively, and the uplift force when using the nonlinear analysis method decreased by 34%. e uplift forces at the 2′ position are 3.59 kN and 2.11 kN. e uplift force was reduced by about 41%
A nonlinear analysis method was proposed for evaluating the serviceability of a rail fastening system on a concrete slab track at railway bridge ends

Summary

Introduction

Use of concrete slab track has been increasing worldwide in attempts to reduce the cost of track maintenance and ensure a stable ride. Ese additional stresses are called uplift force and compression force and can cause breakage of the fastener clip and plastic deformation of the elastic pad in the rail fastening system of the bridge end, thereby increasing the maintenance cost. E concrete slab track serviceability review of a railway bridge deck end is classified as rotation and vertical displacement to deformation of the superstructure caused by various loading conditions. Yang et al [18] suggested the need for a study that reflected the nonlinear behaviors of fastening systems in railway bridge end concrete slab track serviceability reviews. E conventional linear analysis method and the proposed nonlinear analysis method were numerically applied for a railway bridge model specimen with concrete slab track, and the uplift forces acting on the fastening systems as determined using both methods were compared

Serviceability Review of a Concrete Slab Track Fastening System

Analysis Model

Applied Loads

Findings

Conclusions